Method and system for providing electrical stimulation to a user

ABSTRACT

A method for providing electrical stimulation to a user as a user performs a set of tasks during a time window, the method comprising: providing an electrical stimulation treatment, characterized by a stimulation parameter and a set of portions, to a brain region of the user in association with the time window; for each task of the set of tasks: receiving a signal stream characterizing a neurological state of the user; from the signal stream, identifying a neurological signature characterizing the neurological state associated with the task; and modulating the electrical stimulation treatment provided to the brain region of the user based upon the neurological signature, wherein modulating comprises delivering a portion of the set of portions of the electrical stimulation treatment to the brain region of the user, while maintaining an aggregate amount of the stimulation parameter of the treatment provided during the time window below a maximum limit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/790,618, filed 13 Feb. 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/168,607 filed 23 Oct. 2018, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/657,915, filed 24Jul. 2017 now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,143,842, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/295,008, filed 17Oct. 2016, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,802,042, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/250,160, filed 29Aug. 2016, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,757,561, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/470,747, filed 27Aug. 2014, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,630,005, which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/870,678 filed 27Aug. 2013, U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/870,680 filed 27Aug. 2013, U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/870,682 filed 27Aug. 2013, U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/870,684 filed 27Aug. 2013, U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/874,461 filed 6 Sep.2013, and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/889,169 filed 10 Oct.2013, which are each incorporated in its entirety herein by thisreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to the neuromodulation field, and morespecifically to a new and useful method for providing electricalstimulaOctobertion to a user.

BACKGROUND

Electrode systems in the neuromodulation field are used to transmitelectrical signals to a subject, and can be used to detect or measuresignals from the subject. Current electrode systems for electricalstimulation and/or signal detection are, however, insufficient for manyreasons including inadequate contact between the subject and theelectrode(s) of a system, non-robust contact between the subject and theelectrode(s) of a system, subject discomfort while using an electrodesystem, and/or limited use within multiple electrical simulation orbiosignal detection paradigms. Furthermore, methods of providingelectrical stimulation are also inadequate for many reasons.

Thus, there is a need in the neuromodulation field for a new and usefulmethod and system for providing electrical stimulation to a user. Thisinvention provides such a new and useful method.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 depicts a schematic of an embodiment of a method for providingelectrical stimulation to a user;

FIGS. 2A-2E depict variations of waveforms of an electrical stimulationtreatment in an embodiment of a method for providing electricalstimulation to a user;

FIG. 3A depicts a schematic of an embodiment of a method for providingelectrical stimulation to a user;

FIG. 3B depicts an example of providing portions of stimulation inrelation to a set of provided tasks, in an embodiment of a method forproviding electrical stimulation to a user;

FIG. 4 depicts a schematic of an embodiment of a method for providingelectrical stimulation to a user; and

FIG. 5 depicts a schematic of a system for providing electricalstimulation to a user.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description of preferred embodiments of the invention isnot intended to limit the invention to these preferred embodiments, butrather to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use thisinvention.

1. Method

As shown in FIG. 1 , an embodiment of a method 100 for providingelectrical stimulation to a brain region of a user comprises: providinga set of tasks to the user within a time window S110; providing anelectrical stimulation treatment to the brain region of the user inassociation with the time window S120; as the user performs each task ofthe set of tasks: at a biosignal detection module, receiving a signalstream characterizing a neurological state of the user S130; from thesignal stream, identifying a neurological signature characterizing theneurological state S140 associated with the task of the set of tasks;and modulating the electrical stimulation treatment to the user basedupon the neurological signature S160, wherein an aggregated parameter ofthe electrical stimulation treatment provided to the user during thetime window does not exceed a maximum limit. The method 100 canadditionally comprise: generating a comparison between a neurologicalmetric derived from the neurological signature and a condition S150 foreach task in the set of tasks; providing the set of tasks to the user ina modified sequence, based upon at least one neurological signature S170identified in Block S150; and providing a task-bounding stimulus to theuser S180 configured to facilitate consolidation of learned informationand/or behavior.

In some variations, the method 100 can substantially omit Block S130,such that modulation of the electrical stimulation treatment in BlockS160 is based upon a portion of a task of the set of tasks, or theuser's performance of a portion of a task of the set of tasks, withoutconsideration of a neurological state of the user detected by abiosignal detection module. Furthermore, in some variations, the method100 can substantially omit modulating the electrical stimulationtreatment according to a maximum limit constraint, such that modulationis based solely upon a stage of a task and/or a neurological state ofthe user, without a maximum limit constraint. In still other variations,as described in Section 1.2 below, the method 100 can entirely omitprovision of electrical stimulation to the user relative to a set ofprovided tasks, such that provision and/or modulation of an electricalstimulation treatment is primarily based upon a detected neurologicalstate of the user.

The method 100 functions to strategically control provision of anelectrical stimulation treatment delivered to a user as the userperforms a set of tasks, wherein the electrical stimulation treatment isprovided within specified treatment limits (e.g., for safety, inconsideration of maximizing efficacy of the electrical stimulationtreatment, etc.). However, the method 100 can additionally oralternatively function to increase an effect of an electricalstimulation treatment provided to the user by modulating the treatmentaccording to a specific stage of a task and/or a neurological state ofthe user, without a maximum limit constraint. The method 100 can furtheroptimize provision of a limited amount of electrical stimulation to theuser, such that the user only receives electrical stimulation when anactual or anticipated neurological state of the user could be improvedby receipt of electrical stimulation. In some variations, the method canbe used to rehabilitate users diagnosed with neurological pathologiesand/or users with neurological conditions that can be improved ortreated by electrical stimulation. As such, the method 100 can be usedto facilitate management of the user's neurological condition byreversing damage resulting from the neurological condition, haltingdamage resulting from the neurological condition, and/or by enabling theuser to cope with the neurological condition. In other variations, themethod 100 can be used to improve a neurological state of a user as theuser performs a task of interest, in order to enhance cognitive ability(e.g., mathematical ability), learning (e.g., language learning, speechlearning), memory (e.g., working memory, declarative memory), motorability (e.g., dexterity, coordination), focus, attention, and/orcreativity. Thus, the user can be someone who is diagnosed orundiagnosed with a neurological condition. In some specificapplications, the method 100 can be used to increase neural plasticityin stroke patients during rehabilitation, to improve the efficacy oftherapy sessions for patients with paralyzing neurological disorders,and/or to increase neural plasticity in elderly users.

Preferably, at least a portion of the method 100 is configured to beimplemented for a user who is outside of a clinical (e.g., hospital) orresearch (e.g., laboratory) setting, such that the user can be in anon-contrived environment as he or she is performing the set of tasksand receiving the electrical stimulation treatment. As such, the method100 is preferably implemented in part by a system 400, described infurther detail in Section 2 below, that is portable and comfortably wornby the patient as the patient performs the set of tasks in his/her dailylife. Additionally or alternatively, the method 100 can be implementedin an entirely clinical or research setting, such as a physical therapyclinic.

Block S110 recites: providing a set of tasks to the user within a timewindow, which functions to guide the user through various activitiesthat can operate in coordination with electrical stimulation to have apositive effect on the user's wellbeing. The set of tasks preferablycomprises cognitive tasks, and can additionally comprise tasks involvingmotor functions and/or speech functions of the user. Additionally, theset of tasks is preferably configured to enhance neural plasticity; assuch, the set of tasks can comprise games inducing a high level ofemotional involvement (e.g., interpersonal emotional content,intrapersonal emotional content), which can enhance neural plasticity.In some variations, the set of tasks can be configured to enhancetraining for mental activities (e.g., test preparation) and/or physicalactivities (e.g., athletic activities). In other variations, the set oftasks can be configured to facilitate cognitive therapy or otherpsychotherapy. In still other variations, the set of tasks can comprisemedia configured to produce a psychological effect (e.g.,desensitization, craving, affective response) in the user. However, theset of tasks can additionally or alternatively be configured to improveother characteristics of the user's nervous system or evoke otherdesired neurological or psychological effects.

Each task in the set of tasks preferably defines one or more stages ofactivity (e.g., portions of a task, periods of a task with greaterdifficulty, periods of a task with lesser difficulty, a period of a taskduring which an activity is undertaken by the user as opposed to restingperiods, practice periods, or periods of instruction provision). Thestage(s) can be one or more delivered stage(s) (e.g., if a task is beingdeterministically delivered by a computing module or a trainer), and/orcan be one or more stage(s) governed by the user (e.g., if a task isdone at the user's leisure). As such, the set of tasks can comprisemultiple tasks, each with multiple stages of activity or a single stageof activity, or can alternatively comprise a single task with multiplestages of activity or a single stage of activity. As such, in examples,the set of tasks can comprise a single task with various parts, stages,and/or time-varying characteristics.

In one variation, the set of tasks provided in Block S110 comprisecognitive games configured to mentally engage a user with a neurologicaldisorder, in order to facilitate improvement in the user's condition. Inanother variation, the set of tasks provided in Block S110 comprisescognitive games configured to mentally engage a user without aneurological disorder, in order to facilitate enhancement of the user'scognitive abilities. In yet another variation, the set of tasks providedin Block S110 comprises cognitive-motor games configured for a user witha neuromuscular disorder, in order to facilitate improvement in theuser's neuromuscular state. In still another variation, the set of tasksprovided in Block S110 comprises cognitive-motor games configured for auser without a neuromuscular disorder, in order to facilitateenhancement of the user's neuromuscular abilities.

In specific applications, the set of tasks can comprise any one or moreof: a game with an interpersonal emotional aspect (e.g., a game in whicha user must draw several components, which are then aggregated into animage that is transmitted to a loved one); a game which facilitates acommunication between a user and a loved one of the user; a game whichincorporates faces of family and/or acquaintances of the user; a gamewhich incorporates personalized feedback or reinforcement from relativesand/or friends of the user (e.g., in a pre-recorded manner or inreal-time). Additionally or alternatively, the set of tasks can includeany one or more of: a game which incorporates mirroring of the body ofthe user (e.g., a game in which movement of one limb causes apparentmovement of the contralateral limb), which can enhance neural plasticityby a “mirror-box effect”; games that incorporate a speech or vocalcomponent for a user with a neurological disorder-related speechimpairment or desirous of speech improvement (e.g., a game can record apatient's voice for computer speech processing/scoring); games thatinvolve motion of the user's body or a portion of the user's body (e.g.,finger strokes, finger tapping, moving objects, etc.) for a user with aneuromuscular disorder or a user desirous of motor improvement, and anyother suitable game configured to improve a user's neuromuscular orneurological-speech ability or reduce a user's impairment in theseareas. The set of tasks can, however, include any other suitable gamesor tasks. For instance, in some variations, the set of tasks can includetasks that the user performs regularly (e.g., daily, weekly), within hisor her natural environment, such that the method 100 can facilitatetracking of progress in the user's performance of regularly encounteredtasks. In examples, such tasks can include tasks related to motor skills(e.g., walking, running, lifting) and speech (e.g., talking on a phone).

In Block Sino, each task in the set of tasks can be performed by theuser over a duration of seconds, minutes, hours, days, months, or years.Furthermore, the set of tasks is preferably provided such that there isa brief resting or transition period (e.g., several seconds or oneminute) between tasks of the set of tasks. The resting or transitionperiod following a task can be constant across all tasks of the set oftasks, or can vary based upon characteristics of the task preceding orfollowing the resting or transition period. In some variations, theresting or transition period can further be governed based upon an inputfrom the user, or can be governed by an overseeing entity (e.g.,electronic entity, physical therapist, caretaker of the user).Furthermore, the resting or transition period can be used to provideinstruction to the user, used to initialize a subsequent task of the setof tasks, or used in any other suitable manner. In other variations,however, the set of tasks can alternatively be provided to the user suchthat at least one task of the set of tasks is provided without afollowing resting or transition period, or such that at least one taskof the set of tasks is followed by a task intended to produce aneurological state or effect different from that produced by previoustask. Additionally, the time window over which the set of tasks isprovided to the user can comprise a time window spanning a period ofseconds, a period of minutes, a period of days, a period of months, or aperiod of years. In a specific example, a task of the set of tasks isconfigured to be performed by the user over a duration of 10 minutes,followed by a resting period of 1 minute, such that the window of timeover which the set of tasks is provided spans a duration of the numberof tasks provided multiplied by 11 minutes.

In Block S110, the set of tasks is preferably presented at atask-provision module including a user interface of an applicationexecuting on an electronic device (e.g., mobile device, tablet device,personal computer, etc.) of the user; however, the set of tasks canadditionally or alternatively be presented to the user using, at leastin part, a non-electronic format. In some variations, the set of taskscan additionally or alternatively be provided by a health careprofessional or other caretaker associated with the user. In oneexample, the set of tasks can be presented through an applicationexecuting on a tablet device of the user, wherein the sensors of thetablet device are used to detect performance of the set of tasks by theuser. In the example, a touch screen of the tablet device can be used todetect performance of finger stroking in a task configured torehabilitate a stroke-affected hand of a user, an accelerometer of thetablet device can be used to sense vibration indicative of fingertapping in a task configured to rehabilitate the stroke-affected hand ofthe user, and a camera of the tablet device can be used to capturephysical movement of objects performed by the user with astroke-affected hand. In the example, feedback can additionally beprovided using audio, visual, and/or haptic modules of the tabletdevice, in order to indicate successful and/or unsuccessful performanceof any task. In relation to a set of tasks including tasks that the userregularly performs in his/her natural environment, one or more sensorsof the electronic device can further facilitate automatic detection ofperformance of a task of the set of tasks. For instance, anaccelerometer of the electronic device can facilitate detection ofmotion (e.g., walking) by the user, and an audio sensor of theelectronic device can facilitate detection of speech by the user, whichcan be used to guide provision of stimulation (e.g., stimulationprovided to the lower extremity motor cortex, stimulation provided toBroca's area) at appropriate times in subsequent blocks of the method100. In other examples, the set of tasks can additionally oralternatively be provided to the user by a physical therapist (or anyother suitable human entity) associated with the user.

Block S120 recites: providing an electrical stimulation treatment to theuser in association with the time window, and functions to improve aneurological state of the user in association with performance of theset of tasks provided to the user in Block S110. In Block S120, theelectrical stimulation treatment is preferably provided to the user atleast one of within the time window and proximal in time to the timewindow, such that the electrical stimulation treatment is associatedwith provision of at least one task of the set of tasks given to theuser in variations of Block S110. As such, and in relation to BlockS110, a task of the set of tasks can comprise one or more of an initialresting period and a transition period between adjacent tasks of the setof tasks, such that the electrical stimulation treatment of Block S120can be provided outside of, but proximal in time to the time window, inrelation to the set of tasks (i.e., stimulation can be provided during aperiod prior to or after performance of the set of tasks), and canadditionally or alternatively be provided proximal in time to one ormore tasks of the set of tasks.

The electrical stimulation treatment provided in Block S120 preferablyincreases neural plasticity in the user and in some variations, canadditionally or alternatively induce a physiological response thatbenefits the user. Preferably, the electrical stimulation treatmentprovided in Block S120 is also configured to minimize effects ofmetaplastic mechanisms that produce a rebound effect after plasticity isinduced or elevated within the user's neurological functions for aperiod of time. For instance, stimulation that is protracted and/or ofan extended duration of time can induce rebounding due to homeostaticmechanisms, which can reduce neural plasticity. However, the electricalstimulation treatment provided in Block S120 can alternatively beconfigured to have any other suitable effect in relation to metaplasticmechanisms. For instance, some variations of Block S120 can includeprovision of portions of electrical stimulation that are intended toinduce homeostatic mechanisms interspersed between portions ofelectrical stimulation intended to induce neural plasticity. Block S120is preferably performed at an electrical stimulation module coupled to ahead region of the user, such as the electrical stimulation moduledescribed in Section 2 below, in order to facilitate stimulation of abrain region of the user; however, Block S120 can alternatively beperformed using any other suitable electrical stimulation module.

In Block S120, the electrical stimulation treatment is preferablytranscranial electrical stimulation (TES) configured to stimulate abrain region of the user in the form of at least one of: transcranialdirect current stimulation (tDCS), transcranial alternating currentstimulation (tACS), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS),transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS), and/or transcranialvariable frequency stimulation (tVFS). In these variations, the TES canbe provided using one or more electrodes, such as an anodal or cathodalelectrode, positioned at a desired location on the user's skull and anelectrode of the opposite polarity, such as a cathodal or anodalelectrode, positioned on or off of the user's skull, or using any othersuitable number of electrodes in any other suitable location. Forinstance, in some variations, Block S120 can include positioning a firstelectrode at a first region of the user's head (e.g., C3, C4, F3, F4,Fz, or FCz, or between 0 and 2 cm rostral to C3 or C4), and a secondelectrode at a second region of the user's head (e.g., the left or rightsupraorbital area, C3, C4, F3, F4, Fz, or FCz, or between 0 and 2 cmrostral to C3 or C4), or another region of the user's body (e.g., theshoulder, back, or pectoral region).

In variations of Block S120, the electrical stimulation treatment canadditionally or alternatively comprise any other form of electricalstimulation configured to stimulate any other suitable region of theuser's body, with any suitable penetration depth, and/or any suitabletarget tissue structure (e.g., neural, musculoskeletal). In one suchvariation, the electrical stimulation can additionally or alternativelycomprise peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS), which provides stimulationof the peripheral nerves of an extremity (e.g., a hand of the user) andcan increase neural plasticity. In some applications, PNS and otherstimulation treatments can interact synergistically with TES (e.g.,tDCS) and potentiate effects of TES stimulation. Similar to the TEStreatment, the PNS can be characterized by a set of treatment parameters(e.g., duration, intensity, amplitude, frequency, waveform, modulation,etc). Furthermore, the PNS can be provided using electrodes placed nearperipheral nerves of the user at an extremity (e.g., limb, hand, wrist,leg, ankle, etc.) of the user. In variations of Block S120 comprisingprovision of both TES and PNS, the electrical stimulation treatment canbe characterized by a ratio of any suitable parameter of the TES to anysuitable parameter of the PNS (e.g., amplitude of TES:PNS, duty cycle ofTES:PNS, etc.). Thus, in variations, the electrical stimulationtreatment can thus comprise multiple forms (e.g., not limited to TES andPNS), wherein the forms can be performed simultaneously and/or insequence. Similarly, the electrical stimulation treatment can becharacterized by any suitable ratio of parameters of different forms oftreatment.

The electrical stimulation treatment provided in Block S120 ispreferably characterized by at least one stimulation parameter and a setof portions. The stimulation parameter preferably comprises one or moreof: a form (e.g., direct current, direct current with a superimposednon-direct current component, alternating current with one or morefrequency components, band-limited, time-varying, etc.), a current orvoltage amplitude, a stimulation duration, a stimulation duty cycle, astimulation localization/current path (e.g., the location andanode/cathode configuration of electrodes through which stimulation isdelivered) of the electrical stimulation treatment, a waveform of thestimulation (e.g., direct current alone, random noise stimulation,variable frequency stimulation, etc.), an on/off-status of thestimulation, a polarity of the stimulation (e.g., anodal, cathodal) andany other suitable stimulation parameter. As such, the stimulationparameter is preferably configured to be modulated, as described in moredetail with regard to Block S160 below. The stimulation parameter can,however, be characterized by any other suitable combination ofparameters. The set of portions of the electrical stimulation treatmentpreferably comprises periods of active stimulation (e.g., an on-statusof stimulation, wherein the on-status can be associated with anysuitable polarity of stimulation) separated by one or more periods ofnon-active stimulation (e.g., an off-status of stimulation). Invariations, the periods of active stimulation can be substantiallyidentical (e.g., in stimulation parameter(s), in duration, in polarity,in magnitude, etc.) or non-identical. Similarly, the periods ofnon-active stimulation can be substantially identical in duration, ornon-identical in duration. In examples, Block S120 includes providing atleast two periods of active stimulation separated by one period ofnon-active stimulation; however, other variations of Block S120 caninclude provision of any suitable number of active periods ofstimulation and any suitable number of non-active periods ofstimulation.

In Block S120, the stimulation waveform(s) provided as part of theelectrical stimulation treatment preferably includes a monophasicwaveform; however, the stimulation waveforms(s) can additionally oralternatively include one or more of: a symmetrical biphasic waveform,an asymmetrical biphasic waveform, and any other suitable waveform type.In a first example of a monophasic waveform, a waveform can include DCstimulation with portions of equal duration and resting intervals ofequal duration, as shown in FIG. 2A. In a second example of a monophasicwaveform, a waveform can include DC stimulation with portions of equalduration and resting intervals of non-equal (e.g., random) duration, asshown in FIG. 2B. In a third example of a monophasic waveform, awaveform can include DC stimulation with portions of non-equal (e.g.,random) duration and resting intervals of equal duration, as shown inFIG. 2C. In a fourth example of a monophasic waveform, a waveform caninclude DC stimulation with portions of non-equal (e.g., random)duration resting intervals of non-equal (e.g., random) duration, asshown in FIG. 2D. In any of the above examples, initiation and/ortermination of a waveform can include a ramping up and/or a ramping downin current amplitude, as shown in FIG. 2E. Variations of the waveform(s)of the electrical stimulation treatment can additionally oralternatively include any other suitable waveform(s).

Block S130 recites: as the user performs each task of the set of tasks:at a biosignal detection module, receiving a signal streamcharacterizing a neurological state of the user. Block S130 functions toenable detection and characterization of a neurological state of theuser as the user performs each task in the set of tasks, so that theelectrical stimulation treatment can be modulated based upon thetask-related neurological states, as described in further detail withrespect to Block S160 below. However, in some variations, the method 100can substantially omit Block S130, such that modulation of theelectrical stimulation treatment in Block S160 is based solely upon astage of a task of the set of tasks, or the user's performance of astage of a task of the set of tasks, without consideration of aneurological state of the user detected by a biosignal detection module.In variations wherein modulation of the electrical stimulation treatmentin Block S160 is based upon a neurological state of the user detected bya biosignal module, the biosignal module can be an embodiment of thebiosignal detection module described in Section 2 below, or canalternatively be any other suitable biosignal detection module. Thesignal stream received in Block S130 preferably comprises bioelectricalsignals, including electroencephalograph (EEG) signals, which can bereflective of cognitive and/or mental states of the user. Thebioelectrical signals can additionally or alternatively include any oneor more of: electrooculography (EOG) signals, galvanic skin response(GSR) signals, electromyelography (EMG) signals, and any other suitablebioelectrical signals indicative of a cognitive state and/orphysiological state of the user.

Furthermore, in variations of the method 100 including Block S130, BlockS130 can comprise receiving other biosignals, at the biosignal detectionmodule, including signals related to cerebral blood flow (CBF), opticalsignals (e.g., eye movement, body movement), mechanical signals (e.g.,mechanomyographs), chemical signals (e.g., blood oxygenation, bloodglucose level, or neurotransmitter level), signals indicative ofrespiratory rate, and/or any other signals obtained from or related tobiological tissue, biological processes, or mental processes of theuser. Furthermore, any suitable signals related to the user'senvironment can also be received in Block S130, such as signals relatedto temperature and/or location (e.g., global positioning signals), orsignals reported by the user or other entity (e.g., by a survey). Insome variations, signals received in Block S130 can thus provide acomprehensive characterization of the user's cognitive, physiological,and/or environmental state based upon multiple sensor types, in order toprovide a basis for modulation of electrical stimulation based upon userneurological state. In other variations, the set of signals received inBlock S130 can provide a simpler characterization of the user'scognitive state, based solely upon a single signal type (e.g., EEGsignals) received at a biosignal detection module. Again, in somevariations, the method 100 can substantially omit receiving signals at abiosignal detection module, such that modulation is not based upondetected biosignals from the user.

In Block S130, the signal stream preferably includes signals frommultiple sensor channels, wherein each sensor channel is associated witha sensor located at a desired location or region of the user. In oneexample, each sensor channel is associated with a region of the user'sscalp, in order to receive signals associated with channels paired withone or more of the user's frontal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe,and temporal lobe. In another example, each sensor channel is associatedwith a region of cortex (e.g., prefrontal cortex, premotor cortex,primary motor cortex, sensory cortex) of the user's brain. As such, aneurological state can be characterized by signal profiles from a singleor multiple brain regions. The set of signals can alternatively comprisea single signal (e.g., from a single channel or as a composite ofmultiple multiplexed channels), or a plurality of composite signals,each of which is a composite of multiple multiplexed channels. In oneexample, the set of signals can comprise a channel of multiplexedsignals from one region of the user, and another channel of multiplexedsignals from another region of the user. The set of signals can also bea compressed, filtered, conditioned, amplified, or otherwise processedversion of raw signals from one or more sensors. However, the set ofsignals can alternatively be of any other suitable form or format.

Preferably, the signal stream characterizing the neurological state(s)of the user (e.g., as associated with each task) are receivedcontinuously as the user performs each task in the set of tasks in BlockS130; however, the signal stream can additionally or alternatively bereceived intermittently and/or when prompted by the user or otherentity. For example, signals of the signal stream can be received at oneor more time points during the user's performance of each task in theset of tasks (e.g., in sequence with key events during each task in theset of tasks, at time points relative to different stages of a task).Additionally, signals of the signal stream are preferably receivedsubstantially in real time, in order to facilitate real time ornear-real time identification of neurological signatures, generation ofneurological metrics, and/or generation of comparisons between metricsand threshold conditions in Blocks S140 and S150, respectively, and/orreal time or near-real time stimulation modulation in Block S160.However, the set of signals can alternatively be received with anysuitable temporal delay, or in any other suitable manner. For example,in variations wherein the user's neurological states undergo a cyclicpattern, the set of signals can be received with a temporal delay thatis synchronized with the cyclic pattern, such that a set of signalscharacterizing one cycle is received in synchronization with anothercycle being experienced by the user.

In one example, the signal stream received in Block S130 can beindicative of neural plasticity, and can include signals indicative ofuser attention and/or engagement as the user performs each task set oftasks. The signals indicative of neural plasticity can include eyetracking data (e.g., from an infrared or other image sensor), EOGactivity, EEG signals and potentials (e.g., p300 responses, steady statevisually evoked potentials), cardiac data (e.g., heart rate, heart ratevariability, or ECG), and signals indicative of the user's motion (e.g.,finger activity) as the user performs a task. The signals canadditionally or alternatively be supplemented with data indicative ofthe user's performance level, including recent scores on tasks of theset of tasks, and an improvement indicator (e.g., slope of a line fittedto task scores). Additionally, the signals received in the example ofBlock S130 can be supplemented by data from the user, includingdemographic (e.g., age, gender, ethnicity, etc.) and pathological (e.g.,type of neurological disorder, medication regimen information) data.Furthermore, the signals received in the example of Block S130 can besupplemented by environmental data (e.g., the time of day relative totimes wherein the user experiences peaks of engagement, as determined byquestionnaires and/or tracking of engagement and attention across agiven time period), and performance level data (e.g., most recent scoresfor each task, slope of improvement for each task, rate of change ofimprovement for each task, measure of EEG evoked potentials induced byPNS for electrophysiological tracking of sensory map recovery orremapping, etc.) based upon present or past performances of each task inthe set of tasks.

Block S140 recites: from the signal stream, identifying a neurologicalsignature quantifying the neurological state associated with the task ofthe set of tasks, and functions to transform the signal stream receivedin Block S130 into at least one signature or metric, corresponding toeach task in the set of tasks, that is indicative of a state of neuralplasticity in the user, and upon which modulation of the electricalstimulation treatment can be based. The neurological signature can bebased upon a combination of data generated from multiple biosignal typesfrom Block S130, but can additionally or alternatively be based upondata from a single type of biosignal from Block S130. Furthermore, theneurological signature preferably characterizes a single aspect of theuser's neurological state during, prior to, and/or after performance ofa task; however, in other variations, the neurological signature cancharacterize multiple aspects of the user's neurological state (e.g.,plasticity state, emotional state, motor-response state, sensationawareness, etc.), and/or Block S140 can include identifying a set ofsignatures, each signature in the set of signatures characterizing asingle aspect of the user's neurological state. In specific examples,the neurological signature(s) can be derived from detection of evokedpotentials (e.g., motor evoked potentials, MEPs), and can be related toamplitudes of evoked potentials, frequency of evoked potentials,duration of evoked potential activity, and any other suitable parameterof evoked potentials. However, variations of the specific examples canadditionally or alternatively include signatures derived from any othersuitable evoked potential (e.g., sensory evoked potential, somatosensoryevoked potential, brainstem auditory evoked potential, visual evokedpotential, auditory evoked potential, etc.), or any other suitablesignature(s). For instance, in Block S140, a time-varying component oftask performance (e.g., fluctuations in maximum force in a pinch forcetest, fluctuations in force provided during a muscle endurance test)that is associated with (e.g., phase-locked with) a similar time-varyingcomponent of provided stimulation can be detected in a manner similar todetection of a steady-state evoked response. In this example, anamplitude and phase offset of the time-varying component of taskperformance can then be used, in subsequent blocks of the method 100, tomodulate stimulation parameters (e.g., amplitude, montage, or effectivelocation) in order to identify the stimulation parameter(s) thatmaximize a desired effect (e.g., with a goal of identifying optimalsettings for motor cortex stimulation).

In one variation of Block S140, the neurological signature characterizesthe user's neural plasticity state as the user performs a task (or astage of a task) of the set of tasks, such that Block S140 includesidentification of a neurological signature characterizing userplasticity for each task in the set of tasks. In an example of thisvariation, the neurological signature can be incorporated into aneurological metric calculated based upon a combination of any one ormore of: a parameter of detected evoked potentials, eye tracking data(e.g., a parameter characterizing an amount of eye movement in relationto events in a provided task), a correlation between EOG activity andevents in a provided task, user responsiveness data as characterized bydetected EEG potentials in a provided task (e.g., EEP P300 responses inrelation to visually stimulating events, steady state visually evokedpotential responses to an ongoing frequency of visually stimulatingevents in a provided task), other biosignal data (e.g., metrics relatedto GSR, heart rate, and respiration), time-related user interaction data(e.g., an amount of finger activity while the user performs a giventask, length of time during which the user interacts with the task thatis over a time required for therapy, etc.), user success data duringinteraction with the task (e.g., number of errors made, number ofattempts made, accuracy, specificity, sensitivity, Matthews correlationcoefficient, informedness, markedness), demographic (e.g., age, gender,ethnicity, etc.) and pathological (e.g., type of neurological disorder)data reported by the user or other entity, environmental data (e.g.,time of day, temperature, location, etc.), and performance level data(e.g., most recent scores for each task, slope of improvement for eachtask, rate of change of improvement for each task, measure of EEG evokedpotentials induced by PNS for electrophysiological tracking of sensorymap recovery, etc.). In other examples of this variation, the user'sneurological plasticity state can alternatively be characterized by anyother suitable signature/metric based upon any other suitable factor orcombination of factors.

Block S140 can additionally or alternatively include predicting anexpected neurological state of the user based upon at least one of atask of the set of tasks and a stage of a task of the set of tasks, inparticular, for variations of the method 100 omitting Block S130. Assuch, a neurological signature identified and/or a neurological metricgenerated in Block S140 can be based solely upon a stage of activity ofa task or a task of the set of tasks, and can be reflective of anexpected neurological state of the user without using biosignals (i.e.,instead relying upon a location within the set of tasks, a locationwithin a task, and/or a location within a stage of activity of a task).The relationship between the expected neurological state of the user andthe task or stage of activity can be generated from prior performancesof the set of tasks by the user, and/or from performances of the set oftasks by at least one other user. Furthermore, the neurologicalsignature or metric that is used to predict an expected neurologicalstate of the user can be used as a rationale to modulate the electricalstimulation treatment in Block S160.

Identification of the neurological signal(s), in Block S140, from asignal stream received in Block S130 can additionally or alternativelyimplement a machine learning algorithm. In variations, the machinelearning algorithm can be characterized by a learning style includingany one or more of: supervised learning (e.g., using logisticregression, using back propagation neural networks), unsupervisedlearning (e.g., using an Apriori algorithm, using K-means clustering),semi-supervised learning, reinforcement learning (e.g., using aQ-learning algorithm, using temporal difference learning), and any othersuitable learning style. Furthermore, the machine learning algorithm canimplement any one or more of: a regression algorithm (e.g., ordinaryleast squares, logistic regression, stepwise regression, multivariateadaptive regression splines, locally estimated scatterplot smoothing,etc.), an instance-based method (e.g., k-nearest neighbor, learningvector quantization, self-organizing map, etc.), a regularization method(e.g., ridge regression, least absolute shrinkage and selectionoperator, elastic net, etc.), a decision tree learning method (e.g.,classification and regression tree, iterative dichotomiser 3, C4.5,chi-squared automatic interaction detection, decision stump, randomforest, multivariate adaptive regression splines, gradient boostingmachines, etc.), a Bayesian method (e.g., naïve Bayes, averagedone-dependence estimators, Bayesian belief network, etc.), a kernelmethod (e.g., a support vector machine, a radial basis function, alinear discriminate analysis, etc.), a clustering method (e.g., k-meansclustering, expectation maximization, etc.), an associated rule learningalgorithm (e.g., an Apriori algorithm, an Eclat algorithm, etc.), anartificial neural network model (e.g., a Perceptron method, aback-propagation method, a Hopfield network method, a self-organizingmap method, a learning vector quantization method, etc.), a deeplearning algorithm (e.g., a restricted Boltzmann machine, a deep beliefnetwork method, a convolution network method, a stacked auto-encodermethod, etc.), a dimensionality reduction method (e.g., principalcomponent analysis, independent component analysis, partial leastsquares regression, Sammon mapping, multidimensional scaling, projectionpursuit, etc.), an ensemble method (e.g., boosting, boostrappedaggregation, AdaBoost, stacked generalization, gradient boosting machinemethod, random forest method, etc.), and any suitable form of machinelearning algorithm. As such, training data can be used to improvedetection and identification of neurological signatures, in order toimprove provision and modulation of the electrical stimulation treatmentrelative to identified neurological signatures.

In variations wherein identifying the neurological signature in BlockS140 includes generation of a neurological metric, the method 100 canfurther include Block S150, which recites: generating a comparisonbetween a neurological metric derived from the neurological signatureand a condition for each task in the set of tasks. Block S150 canfunction to provide a basis for modulating the electrical stimulationtreatment in Block S160. Thus, Blocks S130, S140, and/or S150 cancollectively function to enable identification of one or more stage(s)of activity for one or more tasks in the set of tasks, for which theelectrical stimulation treatment provided in Block S120 should bemodulated in Block S160. Again, variations of the method 100 can omitBlock S130, such that Blocks S140 and S150 omit incorporation ofdetected biosignal data in modulation of the electrical stimulationtreatment in Block S160. In Block S150, the condition and the comparisoncan be implemented using a searching algorithm (e.g., grid search,random search, gradient descent) to identify the stage(s) of activityduring which modulation should be effected to enhance the user'sneurological state (e.g., performance state, attention state, etc.). Thecondition in Block S150 can indicate that the user should receive ahigher degree (e.g., intensity) of electrical stimulation, which wouldimprove the user's neurological state. Additionally or alternatively,the condition in Block S150 can indicate that the user should receive alower degree (e.g., intensity) of electrical stimulation, which wouldimprove the user's neurological state (e.g., plasticity state, emotionalstate, motor-response state, sensation awareness, etc.).

In one variation of Block S150, wherein the user's neurological state ofinterest is related to neural plasticity, the comparison between theneurological metric and the condition can indicate that the user'sattentiveness/engagement during the task has placed him or her in astate of high neural plasticity, thus requiring either a lower level ofelectrical stimulation (e.g., if the user is already in a state known toproduce neural plasticity and therefore does not need additionalelectrical stimulation) or a higher level of electrical stimulation(e.g., if it is desirable to cause periods of maximal plasticity bydelivering electrical stimulation when endogenous plasticity is alreadyhigh). Conversely, the comparison between the neurological metric andthe condition can indicate that the user's attentiveness/engagementduring the task has placed him or her in a state of low neuralplasticity, thus warranting a higher level of electrical stimulation(e.g., if it is desirable to maintain a constant level of plasticity bydelivering more stimulation when endogenous plasticity is low) or alower level of electrical stimulation (e.g., if it is desirable to causeintermittent periods of minimal plasticity). The condition canadditionally or alternatively indicate that modulated stimulation shouldor should not be provided with a delay relative to a stage of activityof a task associated with a neurological state captured in theneurological metric/signature.

The condition can be identical for all tasks of the set of tasks, oralternatively, each task of the set of tasks can have a correspondingcondition that may or may not be identical to a condition for anothertask of the set of tasks. The condition can be based solely upon a stageof activity of the set of tasks (e.g., a timing relative to a task or astage of activity of the set of tasks), or can comprise a thresholdcondition. In variations comprising a comparison to a thresholdcondition, the threshold condition can involve a threshold value or athreshold range of values, including at least one limiting value (e.g.,upper limiting value, lower limiting value). As such, generation of thecomparison can be performed in a manner that is inclusive of a limitingvalue, such that the threshold condition is satisfied even if theneurological metric is substantially equivalent to the limiting value ofthe threshold range of values. Alternatively, generation of thecomparison can be performed in a manner that is exclusive of a limitingvalue, such the threshold condition is not satisfied if the neurologicalmetric is substantially equivalent to the limiting value of thethreshold range of values. The comparison between the thresholdcondition and the neurological metric can, however, be performed in anyother suitable manner.

Block S160 recites: modulating the electrical stimulation treatmentprovided to the user based upon the neurological signature, whichfunctions to increase an effect of the electrical stimulation treatmentprovided by targeting neurological states/stages of activity of the userwherein the user would receive greater benefit from stimulation ormodulation of stimulation. Block S160 can additionally function todecrease habituation of the user's brain to the electrical stimulationtreatment, by delivering stimulation that has a temporally varyingcomponent, for instance, as provided by the set of portions (e.g.,active periods, non-active periods) of the electrical stimulationtreatment. Furthermore, Block S160 can additionally function tofacilitate desirable long-term effects, such as long-term potentiation(LTP) and long-term depression (LTD), and short-term effects, such asneural depolarization, excitation, hyperpolarization, and inhibition, bydelivering electrical stimulation that tends to excite populations ofneural cells where excitation is desirable, tends to inhibit populationsof neural cells where inhibition is desirable, and/or tends not toaffect populations of neural cells where neuromodulation is undesirable.

Modulation in Block S160 preferably comprises delivering a portion(e.g., active period, non-active period) of the set of portions of theelectrical stimulation treatment to the brain region of the user, whilemaintaining an aggregate amount of the stimulation parameter of theelectrical stimulation treatment provided to the user during the timewindow below a maximum limit. Modulation can, however, omitconsideration of maintaining an aggregate amount of the stimulationparameter below a maximum limit, and can additionally or alternativelyinclude maintaining any other suitable value of the stimulationparameter above or below any suitable limit. In some variations,modulating in Block S160 can additionally or alternatively compriseincreasing a value of a stimulation parameter of the electricalstimulation treatment, decreasing a stimulation parameter, orsubstantially eliminating stimulation based upon an output of BlockS150. In variations, modulation can include increasing excitatorystimulation during specific neurological states/stages of activityidentified in Blocks S130-S150, such as periods of greater attention(i.e., in order to potentiate a desirable activity further). Invariations, modulation can additionally or alternatively includeincreasing inhibitory stimulation during specific neurologicalstates/stages of activity identified in Blocks S130-S150, such asperiods of greater attention (i.e., in order to inhibit an undesirableactivity, such as phobic or craving response). In variations, modulationcan additionally or alternatively include decreasing stimulation inorder to reserve stimulation for specific neurological states/stages ofactivity for the user identified in Blocks S130-S150, such as periods ofless attention wherein less endogenous plastic activity is occurring.

In some variations of Block S160, modulation of the electricalstimulation treatment can comprise modulation of at least one of thecurrent amplitude, the voltage amplitude, the stimulation duration, theduty cycle, the stimulation localization/current path of the electricalstimulation treatment, a waveform of the stimulation (e.g., directcurrent alone, random noise stimulation, variable frequency stimulation,etc.), an on/off status of the stimulation, a polarity of thestimulation (e.g., anodal, cathodal), and any other suitable stimulationparameter. In any of these variations, modulation can include a minimumand a maximum parameter limit (e.g., a duration of one portion ofstimulation will not exceed a certain amount of time regardless of thelength of a stage of activity, or a duration of one portion ofstimulation will not be less than a certain amount of time even if aportion of activity is terminated early). Furthermore, modulation cancomprise maintaining a first subset of stimulation parameters at desiredlevels, while modulating a second subset of stimulation parameters(e.g., a first waveform could be applied during a first activity stageof a task and a second waveform could be applied during a non-activitystage of a task while maintaining current amplitude constant, or tVFSstimulation could be applied during a first activity stage and tDCSstimulation could be applied prior to and/or after a second activitystage). Additionally, in variations in which multiple forms ofstimulation are provided, modulation can additionally or alternativelycomprise modulation of ratios of stimulation parameters for differentforms of stimulation (e.g., modulation of a ratio between currentamplitude for TES and for PNS). The modulation can be performed inreal-time, such that the electrical stimulation provided to the user ismodulated in real-time during performance of a task of the set of tasks.Thus, in the examples described above, the user can receive moreelectrical stimulation in real-time during a period of low engagementand neural plasticity while performing a task, and receive lesselectrical stimulation in real-time during a period of high engagementand neural plasticity while performing a task. Additionally oralternatively, outputs of Block S130-S150 can be used to modulateelectrical stimulation while the user performs a repeat instance of thetask at a later timepoint (e.g., if the set of tasks is provided to theuser repeatedly during therapy), such that modulation is based uponearlier comparisons between the user's neurological state and conditionssuch as threshold conditions for each task in the set of tasks.

The modulation of the electrical stimulation treatment in Block S160 canadditionally be performed with any suitable timing relative to a stageof activity for each task in the set of tasks. In some variations,providing and/or modulating the electrical stimulation treatment canthus be performed with a certain temporal relationship relative to atask (or stage of activity of a task), and/or a neurological state ofthe user, based upon an anticipated task (or stage of activity of atask), and/or an anticipated neurological state of the user. As such,provision and/or modulation of the electrical stimulation treatment canbe configured to frontload electrical stimulation provided to the userin relation to the set of tasks, backload electrical stimulationprovided to the user in relation to the set of tasks, providestimulation to the user during a task or a stage of activity, providestimulation to the user prior to a task or a stage of activity, and/orprovide stimulation to the user after a task or a stage of activity.Provision of stimulation prior to a task or stage of activity canfacilitate future neural changes due to a future execution of a task oractivity, and provision of stimulation after a task or a phase ofactivity can augment consolidation of changes induced by a task or phaseof activity. In one example, modulation can include delivering one ormore portions of stimulation according to a schedule that front-loadsstimulation during a user session of a task/stage of activity toincrease a likelihood that a desired amount of stimulation will beprovided (e.g., a high minimum duration of stimulation can be providedearly in an task and a lower duration of stimulation can be providedlater in a task). Furthermore, in this example, modulation can takeadvantage of “priming” characteristics of stimulation, whereinstimulation provided early in a task is more effective than stimulationprovided later in a task, and stimulation has a holdover effect thataffects a subsequent task. In another example, stimulation can bemodulated only during periods where the user is actively performing astage of an activity. In yet another example, provision or modulation ofstimulation can occur prior to (e.g., 5 minutes prior to) an anticipatedtask (or stage of activity of a task) such that the stimulation has alingering effect (e.g., a 5-10 minute carry-over) on the user's neuralplasticity, which would increase the effectiveness of the user'stherapy, In yet another example, a portion of stimulation can beprovided at substantially an intermediate time point (e.g., middle timepoint) of a task or stage of activity, and in another example, a firstportion of stimulation can be provided prior to onset of a stage ofactivity and a second portion of stimulation can be provided aftercompletion of the stage of activity.

In some variations, multiple forms of electrical stimulation treatmentcan be temporally synchronized with each other (e.g., simultaneousmodulation of both tDCS and PNS provision). In these variations, a firstform of electrical stimulation (e.g., tDCS) could facilitate a responseby the user to a second form of electrical stimulation (e.g., PNS);furthermore, the second form of electrical stimulation could facilitatea response by the user to the first form of electrical stimulation(e.g., PNS could cause neural cells to fire, increasing a response totDCS). Additionally or alternatively, in some variations, electricalstimulation treatment can be synchronized with an audio or visual aspectof gameplay in a provided task (e.g., music tempo and/or visualpresentation tempo within a provided task can be synchronized with afrequency of a PNS and/or TES parameter to increase treatmenteffectiveness) in order to enhance neural remapping. In a specificexample for a user with tinnitis, audio media can be filtered toeliminate frequencies that are undesirable (i.e., frequencies near apathologically re-mapped audio frequency, whose cortical representationshould not be expanded) for tinnitus treatment.

Furthermore, in some variations of Block S160, the electricalstimulation treatment can be modulated/synchronized with neurologicalstates aside from plasticity related states. For example, electricalstimulation can be provided and modulated according to EEG oscillations,as observed in theta positive and negative states, which can effectivelyexcite or de-excite neurons and promote or inhibit long-termpotentiation (LTP). In still other variations, modulation of theelectrical stimulation treatment or synchronization of the electricalstimulation treatment with any other factor can be performed with anysuitable offset relative to a corresponding task (or stage of activity)of the set of tasks. For instance, stimulation can be modulated a fewseconds prior to provision of a corresponding task to increaseeffectiveness or a few seconds after a stage of activity is identifiedin order to increase effectiveness). The offset can function to increaseeffectiveness of a parameter of stimulation that would otherwise have anegligible effect on the user (e.g., 1 Hz sequence of TMS can beenhanced with delivery of anodal tDCS provided with an offset).Modulation prior to an onset of a stage of activity can be performedbased upon a prediction of an onset of a neurological state of the usercorresponding to the stage of the activity (e.g., based upon an estimateof a duration to complete a task). Modulation prior to an onset of astage of activity can additionally or alternatively be performed byexplicitly requesting notice from the user prior to performing a task,and/or instructing the user to pause action prior to the task in orderto modulate stimulation with a desired time-relationship to the task.The electrical stimulation treatment provided can, however, be modulatedor synchronized with respect to any other suitable factor in any othersuitable manner.

In some applications of the method 100, it may be desirable that anaggregated amount of at least one stimulation parameter of theelectrical stimulation treatment (e.g., TES) provided during a timewindow does not exceed a maximum limit, for example, for safety reasons.As such, a maximum limit for an aggregated value of a stimulationparameter as related to Block S160 can be any one or more of: a maximumdosage (e.g., duration of stimulation, aggregated charge, aggregatedcharge density etc.) per day, a maximum dosage per shorter unit of time(e.g., minutes, hours), and any other suitable maximum dosage. In oneexample, a daily dosage of 30 minutes is an acceptable dosage of tDCS,with higher doses increasing chances of skin irritation for the userand/or other side effects. Furthermore, a remaining allowablestimulation can be tracked in relation to the maximum limit as anaccumulated amount of stimulation subtracted from a maximum dosage ofstimulation. Here, the accumulated dosage can be increased by additionalelectrical stimulation, and decreased (e.g., according to a logarithmicdecay) when stimulation is not occurring. Thus, maximizing an effect ofelectrical stimulation treatment given a maximum acceptable limit oftreatment can significantly benefit a user's recovery/rehabilitationrate. In variations wherein the electrical stimulation treatmentincludes TES, the maximum limit is preferably a maximum amount of chargeor charge density (e.g., determined based upon current amplitude,duration, duty cycle, and electrode path) that can be delivered to theuser per unit time (e.g., the time window). Additionally oralternatively, the electrical stimulation provided within the timewindow can be transmitted and modulated such that at least a minimumamount of stimulation (i.e., defined as an amount below whichstimulation has no effect) is always provided to the user within thetime window. For example, a minimum duration and/or duty cycle of tDCScan always be provided to the user within the time window so that theelectrical stimulation treatment provided to the user always has ameasureable effect on the user's neural plasticity. As such, the method100 enables transmission of a limited amount of electrical stimulationtreatment to the user in a manner that automatically provides the userwith electrical stimulation when the user needs electrical stimulationthe most, and in a manner that has a measureable effect on the user'sneurological condition. Again, in some variations, the method 100 cansubstantially omit modulating the electrical stimulation treatmentaccording to a maximum limit constraint, such that modulation is basedsolely upon a stage of a task and/or a neurological state of the user,without a maximum limit constraint.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the method 100 can additionally comprise BlockS170, which recites: providing the set of tasks to the user in amodified sequence in a subsequent time window, based upon at least oneidentified neurological signature S170 generated in Block S140 and anoutcome of modulating the electrical stimulation treatment. Block S170functions to affect distribution of the electrical stimulation treatmentprovided, based upon the user's detected neurological state for eachtask in the set of tasks, which can increase the effectiveness of theelectrical stimulation treatment provided. In one variation, involvingmodulation based upon user attentiveness as an indicator of neuralplasticity, more “interesting” tasks can be interleaved with lessinteresting tasks and provided to the user in this modified sequence,such that the user receives electrical stimulation with cyclicmodulations (e.g., modulated upward for the less interesting tasks andmodulated downward for the more interesting tasks, modulated upward for10 minutes and modulated downward for 10 minutes in repeating cyclescorresponding to transitions between tasks of the set of tasks), whichcan increase treatment effectiveness. Furthermore, in this variation,residual effects of electrical stimulation modulated upward during lessinteresting tasks can carry over to periods in which the user isperforming more interesting tasks, to increase effectiveness. In anothervariation, involving modulation based upon user attentiveness as anindicator of neural plasticity, more “interesting” tasks can be groupedtogether and less interesting tasks can be grouped together and providedto the user in this modified sequence, such that the user receives atleast one consolidated period of electrical stimulation due to thestate-based modulation in Block S160. In other variations, the set oftasks, however, can be provided to the user in any other suitablesequence or configuration based upon at least one identifiedneurological signature/neurological metric generated in BlocksS140-S150.

Also shown in FIG. 1 , the method 110 can further comprise Block S180,which recites: providing a task-bounding stimulus to the user. BlockS180 functions to facilitate consolidation of learned information and/orbehavior resulting from the user's interactions with the set of tasksand the modulated electrical stimulation treatment. Similar to BlockS110, the task-bounding stimulus is preferably provided to the user atan application executing on an electronic device of the user; however,the task-bounding stimulus can be provided in any other suitable manner.In some variations, the task-bounding stimulus can be a visual stimulus,and in other variations, the task-bounding stimulus can be configured tostimulate any other sensory pathway (e.g., auditory pathway, olfactorypathway, tactile sensation pathway, etc.) of the user. In an example,after the set of tasks is provided to the user, the task-boundingstimulus can comprise a video of a similar user repeating a task thatthe user has just performed, which can stimulate mirror neurons andallow consolidation of information learned from the task that the userhas just performed. The task-bounding stimulus can, however, include anyother suitable stimulus and be provided in any other suitable manner.

Also shown in FIG. 1 , the method 100 can further comprise Block S190,which recites: affecting at least one neurological state of the userbased upon virtual constraint therapy, in relation to at least one taskof the set of tasks provided in Block S110. Similar to Block S120, BlockS190 functions to improve a neurological state of the user; however,Block S190 can supplement an effect of electrical stimulation providedin Block S120 and modulated in Block S160 and accelerate neurologicalremapping in a manner that does not require excess electricalstimulation to be provided to the user. In relation to stroke, whichtypically affects one side of the body more than the other, virtualconstraint therapy can force a stroke patient to use his/her affectedlimb (or other body portion) by constraining the contralateral, morehealthy limb (or other body portion). As such, the virtual constrainttherapy preferably includes constraining motion of the user duringperformance of a task in a beneficial manner (e.g., constraining motionof a contralateral side of a stroke patient, such that the patient isforced to use his/her weaker side during implementation of the method),and can additionally or alternatively comprise any other suitable targetof virtual constraint. The virtual constraint therapy provided in BlockS190 is preferably facilitated with a sensor subsystem configured todetect motion (e.g., absolute motion, relative motion) of one or morebody parts of the user, which can be used to provide feedback to theuser in discouraging motion of the body part(s) of the user. Invariations, the sensor subsystem can include one or more of: anaccelerometer, a gyroscope, a compass, a pressure sensor, a globalpositioning system, and any other suitable sensor. The virtualconstraint therapy can be supplemented with a physical restraint (e.g.,sling or mitt configured to constrain motion of a limb), or canalternatively be provided without a physical restraint. Furthermore, thevirtual constraint can be reinforced with positive reinforcement and/ornegative reinforcement. Additionally, the virtual constraint of BlockS190 can be dynamically modulated, such that a virtual “envelope” arounda constrained body region of the user can be dynamically varied in sizeaccording to the user's progress, by using a sensor subsystem configuredto detect motion of the user with an adjustable envelope of detection.In variations, the virtual envelope can be adjusted in real-time bychanging thresholds on an amount of allowable movement prior toprovision of positive reinforcement and/or negative reinforcement to theuser. Dynamic modulation of the virtual constraint thus allows the userto gradually build up an ability for self-restraint of a less affectedregion of his/her body in order to strengthen an affected body region.

In one example of Block S190, wherein the user's hand is the target ofthe virtual constraint therapy, a negative sound can be configured toplay at a mobile device of the user whenever the user moves his/hervirtually constrained hand while performing a task of the set of tasksprovided in Block S110. The user is thus incentivized to maintainvirtual constraint of his/her hand, which can improve the user'sresponse to rehabilitation. In another example of Block S190, whereinthe user's hand is the target of the virtual constraint therapy, pointscan be deducted from the user whenever the user moves his/her virtuallyconstrained hand during performance of a provided task. Similarly, theuser is thus incentivized to maintain virtual constraint of his/herhand, which can improve a response to rehabilitation. In either example,detection of motion of the user can be enabled by use of at least oneaccelerometer of a system for implementing the method 100. Furthermore,in either example, the accelerometer can be incorporated into an elementof the system for providing PNS, or can be a standalone componentconfigured to primarily facilitate the virtual constraint therapy.

Variations of the method 100 can additionally or alternatively includeany other suitable blocks or steps configured to facilitate provision ofan electrical stimulation treatment for improving or enhancing cognitivefunctions of a user. Additionally, and as noted above, one embodiment ofthe method 100 can omit use of detected biosignals, such that provisionof portions of the electrical stimulation treatment and modulation ofthe electrical stimulation treatment are based upon relative timing witha set of provided tasks. Such a method 200 is described further inSection 1.1 below. In another embodiment, the method 100 can omitprovision of electrical stimulation to the user relative to a set ofprovided tasks, such that provision and/or modulation of an electricalstimulation treatment is primarily based upon a detected neurologicalstate of the user. Such a method 300 is described further in Section 1.2below.

1.1 Method—Intermittent Stimulation Relative to One or More ProvidedTasks

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3A, a method 200 for providingelectrical stimulation to a user, as the user undergoes a set of eventspertaining to neurological activity of the user within a time window,comprises: providing an electrical stimulation treatment, characterizedby a stimulation parameter and a set of portions, to a brain region ofthe user in association with the time window S220, wherein providing theelectrical stimulation treatment includes: delivering a first portion ofthe set of portions of the electrical stimulation treatment to the brainregion of the user in association with a first event of the set ofevents S230; delivering a second portion of the set of portions of theelectrical stimulation treatment to the brain region of the user inassociation with a second event of the set of events S240; and providingat least one resting period between the first portion and the secondportion of the electrical stimulation treatment, while maintaining anaggregate amount of the stimulation parameter of the electricalstimulation treatment provided to the user during the time window belowa maximum limit S260.

The method 200 functions to strategically provide intermittentelectrical stimulation to at least one brain region of the user, whereinintermittency is provided relative to one or more events undergone bythe user (e.g., tasks performed by the user, neurological statesexperienced by the user). Similar to the method 100 described above, themethod 200 can additionally function to strategically control provisionof an electrical stimulation treatment delivered to a user as the userundergoes a set of events pertaining to neurological activity of theuser, wherein the electrical stimulation treatment is provided withinspecified treatment limits (e.g., for safety, in consideration ofmaximizing efficacy of the electrical stimulation treatment, etc.).However, the method 100 can additionally or alternatively function toincrease an effect of an electrical stimulation treatment provided tothe user by modulating the treatment according to an event undergone bythe user, without a maximum limit constraint. The method 100 can furtheroptimize provision of a limited amount of electrical stimulation to theuser, such that the user only receives electrical stimulation when anactual or anticipated neurological state of the user could be improvedby receipt of electrical stimulation.

Similar to the user in Section 1 above, the user can be one or more of:a user diagnosed with a neurological pathology, a user with aneurological condition that can be improved or treated by electricalstimulation, a user would otherwise benefit from enhancement increativity, attention, focus, cognitive ability (e.g., mathematicalability), learning (e.g., language learning, speech learning), and/ormemory (e.g., working memory, declarative memory), and any othersuitable user (e.g., human user, non-human user). The set of events caninclude a set of tasks (or a stage of activity of a task) provided tothe user, as described in Section 1 above; however, in some variationsof the method 200, the set of events can additionally or alternativelyinclude one or more neurological states of the user characterized byidentified neurological signatures, as described in Section 1 above.

Block S220 recites: providing an electrical stimulation treatment,characterized by a stimulation parameter and a set of portions, to abrain region of the user in association with the time window, whichfunctions to improve a neurological state of the user in associationwith at least one event of the set of events undergone by the user. Theelectrical stimulation treatment is preferably provided at an electricalstimulation module comprising a head-mounted electrode system configuredto provide a TES treatment, as noted above in Section 1 and described infurther detail in Section 2 below; however, the electrical stimulationtreatment can additionally or alternatively be provided using any othersuitable system. Similarly, the stimulation parameter and the set ofportions of the stimulation treatment of Block S220 can be analogous tothose of Block S120 described above, or can alternatively comprise anyother suitable stimulation parameter(s) and/or set of portions.

Block S230 recites: delivering a first portion of the set of portions ofthe electrical stimulation treatment to the brain region of the user inassociation with a first event of the set of events, which functions tohave a positive effect on the user's cognitive functions (e.g., neuralplasticity, neurological state, etc.) relative to the first event of theset of events. The first portion of the set of portions of theelectrical stimulation treatment is preferably provided in a manner thatavoids or prevents interference from metaplastic mechanisms of theuser's brain, which can cause a rebound effect after plasticity iselevated by the electrical stimulation treatment. As such, in somevariations the first portion of the set of portions of the electricalstimulation treatment can be provided in a manner that is limited inprotraction and/or strength, to facilitate maintenance of or increasesin neural plasticity for the user. However, some alternative variationsof Block S230 can include provision of one or more portions of theelectrical stimulation treatment in a manner that does not avoidinterference from metaplastic mechanisms, especially in variationswherein a period of rebounding by the brain can be beneficial to theuser.

The first portion of the electrical stimulation treatment is preferablyprovided with a constant set of stimulation parameters, and as such, canbe characterized by constancy in one or more of: a form (e.g., directcurrent, direct current with a superimposed non-direct current factor,alternating current with one or more frequency components, band-limited,time-varying, etc.), a current amplitude, a stimulation duration, a dutycycle, a stimulation localization/current path of the electricalstimulation treatment, a waveform of the stimulation (e.g., directcurrent alone, random noise stimulation, variable frequency stimulation,etc.), an on/off status of the stimulation, a polarity of thestimulation (e.g., anodal, cathodal), and any other suitable stimulationparameter. The first portion of the electrical stimulation treatment canalternatively have any suitable uniform or random pattern of one or moreof: a current amplitude, a voltage amplitude, a stimulation duration, aduty cycle, a stimulation localization/current path of the electricalstimulation treatment, a waveform of the stimulation (e.g., directcurrent alone, random noise stimulation, variable frequency stimulation,etc.), an on/off status of the stimulation, a polarity of thestimulation (e.g., anodal, cathodal), and any other suitable stimulationparameter. In examples, the first portion of the electrical stimulationtreatment can include a duration between 500 ms to 15 minutes, apositive (e.g., cathodal) polarity, a negative (e.g., anodal) polarity,a current amplitude between approximately 0.5 mA and 2 mA, and a pulsedwaveform. Variations of the examples, however, can alternatively becharacterized by any other suitable parameter(s).

In relation to avoiding metaplastic mechanisms, the first portion of theelectrical stimulation treatment is preferably provided substantiallyduring occurrence of the first event (e.g., a training activity, a taskof a set of provided tasks, a detected neurological state, etc.), butcan alternatively be provided prior to and/or after occurrence of thefirst event. For instance, and in relation to Block S240 describedbelow, a portion of the stimulation treatment can be interleaved at a“resting period” between multiple events, such that effects of thestimulation treatment can effect preceding and subsequent events of theset of events. In variations, occurrence of the first event can bedetected or observed based upon any one or more of: knowledge of aregimen for providing a set of tasks (e.g., as known by a taskadministrator, as known based upon a regimen of tasks provided at anapplication executing on an electronic device, as known based upon a logof usage of an application that facilitates task provision, etc.),detection of task performance based upon raw performance (e.g., basedupon user inputs detected at an electronic device that facilitatesdetection of task performance), detection of task performance based upondetection of biosignals from the user, identification of a neurologicalsignature from a biosignals detection module, and in any other suitablemanner.

Block S240 recites: delivering a second portion of the set of portionsof the electrical stimulation treatment to the brain region of the userin association with a second event of the set of events S240. Similar toBlock S230, Block S240 functions to have a positive effect on the user'scognitive functions (e.g., neural plasticity, neurological state, etc.)relative to the second event of the set of events. Also similar to BlockS230, the second portion of the set of portions of the electricalstimulation treatment is preferably provided in a manner that avoids orprevents interference from metaplastic mechanisms of the user's brain,which can cause a rebound effect after plasticity is elevated by theelectrical stimulation treatment. As such, in some variations the secondportion of the set of portions of the electrical stimulation treatmentcan be provided in a manner that is limited in protraction and/orstrength, to facilitate maintenance of or increases in neural plasticityfor the user. However, some alternative variations of Block S240 caninclude provision of one or more portions of the electrical stimulationtreatment in a manner that does not avoid interference from metaplasticmechanisms, especially in variations wherein a period of rebounding bythe brain can be beneficial to the user.

Similar to Block S230, the second portion of the electrical stimulationtreatment is preferably provided with a constant set of stimulationparameters, and as such, can be characterized by constancy in one ormore of: a form (e.g., direct current, direct current with asuperimposed non-direct current factor, alternating current with one ormore frequency components, band-limited, time-varying, etc.), a currentamplitude, a stimulation duration, a duty cycle, a stimulationlocalization/current path of the electrical stimulation treatment, awaveform of the stimulation (e.g., direct current alone, random noisestimulation, variable frequency stimulation, etc.), an on/off status ofthe stimulation, a polarity of the stimulation (e.g., anodal, cathodal),and any other suitable stimulation parameter. The second portion of theelectrical stimulation treatment can alternatively have any suitableuniform or random pattern of one or more of: a current amplitude, avoltage amplitude, a stimulation duration, a duty cycle, a stimulationlocalization/current path of the electrical stimulation treatment, awaveform of the stimulation (e.g., direct current alone, random noisestimulation, variable frequency stimulation, etc.), an on/off status ofthe stimulation, a polarity of the stimulation (e.g., anodal, cathodal),and any other suitable stimulation parameter.

Preferably, the second portion and the first portion of the electricalstimulation treatment are substantially identical to each other instimulation parameter(s); however, the first and the second portion ofthe electrical stimulation treatment provided in Blocks S230 and S240can alternatively be non-identical to each other. In examples, thesecond portion of the electrical stimulation treatment can include aduration between 500 ms to 15 minutes, a positive (e.g., cathodal)polarity, a negative (e.g., anodal) polarity, a current amplitude ofbetween −2.5 and 2.5 mA, and a pulsed waveform. Variations of theexamples, however, can alternatively be characterized by any othersuitable parameter(s).

In relation to avoiding metaplastic mechanisms, and similar to BlockS230, the second portion of the electrical stimulation treatment ispreferably provided substantially during occurrence of the second event(e.g., a training activity, a task of a set of provided tasks, adetected neurological state, etc.), but can alternatively be providedprior to and/or after occurrence of the second event. In variations,occurrence of the second event can be detected or observed based uponany one or more of: knowledge of a regimen for providing a set of tasks(e.g., as known by a task administrator, as known based upon a regimenof tasks provided at an application executing on an electronic device,as known based upon a log of usage of an application that facilitatestask provision, etc.), detection of task performance based upon rawperformance (e.g., based upon user inputs detected at an electronicdevice that facilitates detection of task performance), detection oftask performance based upon detection of biosignals from the user,identification of a neurological signature from a biosignals detectionmodule, and in any other suitable manner.

Block S260 recites providing at least one resting period between thefirst portion and the second portion of the electrical stimulationtreatment, while maintaining an aggregate amount of the stimulationparameter of the electrical stimulation treatment provided to the userduring the time window below a maximum limit. Similar to Block S160described above, Block S260 functions to increase an effect of theelectrical stimulation treatment provided by targeting neurologicalstates associated with events of the user, wherein the user wouldreceive greater benefit from stimulation or modulation of stimulation.Block S260 can additionally function to decrease habituation of theuser's brain to the electrical stimulation treatment, by deliveringstimulation that has a temporally varying component, as provided by theset of portions (e.g., active periods, non-active periods) of theelectrical stimulation treatment.

In Block S260, the resting period is preferably provided between eventsof the set of events, such that events (e.g., periods of trainingactivity, provision of tasks, etc.) of the set of events substantiallycoincide with the portions of the electrical stimulation treatment.However, the resting period can alternatively overlap with occurrence ofone or more events of the set of events, such that a duration of anevent spans a portion of a resting period, and at least a portion of aportion of the electrical stimulation treatment. In Block S260, theresting period can be of equal duration to a duration of a portion ofthe electrical stimulation treatment, or can alternatively be shorter orlonger than a duration of the portion of the electrical stimulationtreatment. In examples, the resting period can have a duration from 500ms to 24 hours; however, variations of the resting period of theexamples can alternatively have any other suitable duration.

As noted above, it may be desirable that an aggregated amount of atleast one stimulation parameter of the electrical stimulation treatment(e.g., TES) provided during a time window associated with the portionsof the electrical stimulation treatment and/or the set of events doesnot exceed a maximum limit, for example, for safety reasons. As such, amaximum limit for an aggregated value of a stimulation parameter asrelated to Block S260 can be any one or more of: a maximum dosage (e.g.,duration of stimulation, aggregated charge, aggregated charge density,etc.) per day, a maximum dosage per shorter unit of time (e.g., minutes,hours), and any other suitable maximum dosage. In one example, a dailydosage of 30 minutes is an acceptable dosage of tDCS, with higher dosesincreasing chances of skin irritation for the user and/or other sideeffects. Furthermore, a remaining allowable stimulation can be trackedin relation to the maximum limit as an accumulated amount of stimulationsubtracted from a maximum dosage of stimulation. Here, the accumulateddosage can be increased by an additional portion of the electricalstimulation treatment, and decreased (e.g., according to a logarithmicdecay) during a resting period provided in Block S260. Thus, maximizingan effect of electrical stimulation treatment given a maximum acceptablelimit of treatment can significantly benefit a user. In variationswherein the electrical stimulation treatment includes TES, the maximumlimit is preferably a maximum amount of charge or charge density (e.g.,determined based upon current amplitude, duration, duty cycle, andelectrode path) that can be delivered to the user per unit time (e.g.,the time window). Again, in some variations, the method 100 cansubstantially omit modulating the electrical stimulation treatmentaccording to a maximum limit constraint, such that modulation is basedsolely upon a stage of a task and/or a neurological state of the user,without a maximum limit constraint.

Furthermore, in some alternatives to Block S260, a resting periodbetween the first portion and the second portion of the electricalstimulation treatment may not be provided, and instead, modulationbetween the first portion and the second portion of the electricalstimulation treatment can be performed in any other suitable manner(e.g., with an adjustment in current amplitude, with an adjustment inpolarity, etc.).

In a first specific example of the method 200, a first portion and asecond portion of stimulation are provided, as in Blocks S230 and S240,each having a duration of 1 minute, and separated by a resting periodhaving a duration of 1.5 minutes. In the first specific example, thefirst and the second portion of stimulation substantially coincide witha first task and a second task, respectively, each having a duration ofapproximately one minute. In a variation of the first specific example,a first portion and a second portion of stimulation are provided (e.g.,each having a duration between one and 60 seconds), wherein the firstportion and the second portion are each coincident with an onset of arespective task or alternatively provided with some offset relative tothe onset of the respective task. In the first specific examples, timingbetween provision of the first and the second portions of the electricalstimulation treatment and the first and the second task can be governedbased upon occurrence of the first and the second task. For instance, anelectronic device facilitating task provision can signal an electricalstimulation module to provide the portion(s) of the electricalstimulation treatment. Additionally or alternatively, timing betweenprovision of the first and the second portions of the electricalstimulation treatment and the first and the second task can be governedbased upon delivery of the first and/or the second portion(s) of theelectrical stimulation treatment. For instance, an electricalstimulation module providing the portion(s) of the electricalstimulation treatment can signal a task provision module to provide thetask(s) with a suitable relationship to the portion(s) of the electricalstimulation treatment.

In a second specific example of the method 200, an event of the set ofevents is detected based upon identification of a physiological markerof movement, as detected from a biosignal detection module. In thesecond specific example, the event can be detected based uponobservation of a desynchronization in the alpha band (i.e., a frequencyband of neural oscillations) of the user during performance of a task,as measured with a biosignal detection module comprising an EEGelectrode or array of electrodes situation proximal to a stimulatingelectrode configured to transmit portions of the electrical stimulationtreatment. As such, periodic movement (e.g., finger movements)associated with the task, can be guided and/or assessed with thebiosignals detection module, allowing event-related desynchronization tobe measured over multiple events (e.g., similar events). In the secondspecific example, a current amplitude and/or a duration of a portion ofthe electrical stimulation treatment can be dynamically modulated, as inBlock S260”, until event-related desynchronization is maximized.

In a third specific example of the method 200, a first portion and asecond portion of stimulation are provided, as in Blocks S230 and S240,each having a duration of 10 minutes, and separated by a resting periodhaving a duration of 20 minutes. In the first specific example, thefirst and the second portion of stimulation are provided 5 minutes priorto provision of a physical therapy (PT)/occupational therapy (OT) taskhaving a duration of 20 minutes, followed by a resting period of 10minutes. As such, each PT/OT task of the third specific example overlapswith a portion of stimulation and a resting period, which can allow aportion of stimulation to have an effect on the user during performanceof both a preceding OT/PT task and a subsequent OT/PT task. In the thirdexample, a session of 10-minute stimulation followed by a 20-minuteresting period is repeated 3 times, as shown in FIG. 3B, in relation tothe provided OT/PT tasks. In the third specific example, the set oftasks provided comprises: 1) a first task that prompts finger-strokingmotion for a stroke-affected user, wherein a tablet device is configuredto facilitate provision of the task, detection of performance of thetask (e.g., at a touch screen), and provision of feedback uponsuccessful performance of the task (e.g., by audible feedback, by visualfeedback, by haptic feedback); 2) a second task that promptsfinger-tapping motion for a stroke-affected user, wherein a tabletdevice is configured to facilitate provision of the task, detection ofperformance of the task (e.g. with an accelerometer), and provision offeedback upon successful performance of the task (e.g., by audiblefeedback, by visual feedback, by haptic feedback); and 3) a third taskthat prompts physical object movement for a stroke-affected user,wherein a tablet device is configured to facilitate provision of thetask, detection of performance of the task (e.g., at an image sensor),and provision of feedback upon successful performance of the task (e.g.,by audible feedback, by visual feedback, by haptic feedback). Variationsof the third specific example can, however, include any other suitablepattern of portions of stimulation and resting periods (e.g., 10 minutesof stimulation followed by 25 minutes of rest), any other suitablenumber of repetitions of sessions, and any other suitable tasks.

In a fourth specific example of the method 200, a first portion and asecond portion of cathodal stimulation are provided, as in Blocks S230and S240, each having a duration of 9 minutes, and separated by aresting period having a duration of one of: 0 minutes, 3 minutes, 20minutes, 3 hours, and 24 hours. In a variation of the fourth specificexample, a first portion and a second portion of anodal stimulation areprovided, as in Blocks S230 and S240, each having a duration of 5minutes, and separated by a resting period having a duration of one of:0 minutes, 3 minutes, and 30 minutes. In another variation of the fourthspecific example, a first portion and a second portion of anodalstimulation are provided, as in Blocks S230 and S240, each having aduration of 13 minutes, and separated by a resting period having aduration of one of: 0 minutes, 3 minutes, 20 minutes, 3 hours, and 24hours. In another variation of the fourth specific example, a firstportion and a second portion of anodal stimulation are provided, as inBlocks S230 and S240, each having a duration of 500 ms, and separated bya resting period having a duration of one of 50 ms and 650 ms. Inanother variation of the fourth specific example, a first portion and asecond portion of anodal stimulation are provided, as in Blocks S230 andS240, each having a duration of 10 minutes, and separated by a restingperiod having a duration of one of 5 minutes and 25 minutes. In stillanother variation of the fourth specific example, a first portion and asecond portion of anodal stimulation are provided, as in Blocks S230 andS240, each having a duration of 12.5 minutes, and separated by a restingperiod having a duration of 20 minutes. In still another variation ofthe fourth specific example, 1-minute-long periods of stimulation can beprovided to a user, wherein the 1-minute-long periods are separated by1.5 minute-long resting periods, for a desired duration of time (e.g.,over the course of 1 hour). In any of the variations of the fourthspecific examples, the first and/or the second portion of stimulationcan be provided prior to, during, and/or after a respective task, andresponses to the portions of stimulation can be detected by way ofevoked potentials of the user.

Variations of the specific examples described above can include anysuitable repetition of providing the portion(s) and the resting periodsof the electrical stimulation treatment.

Another embodiment of the methods 100, 200, wherein stimulation istargeted to detected neurological states, is described further inSection 1.2 below:

1.2 Method—Stimulation Targeted to Detected Neurological States

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4 , a method 300 for providingelectrical stimulation to a user comprises: at a biosignal detectionmodule, receiving a signal stream characterizing a set of neurologicalstates of the user S310; at a processing system, generating an analysisbased upon the signal stream, thereby identifying each neurologicalstate of the set of neurological states characterized by the signalstream S320; identifying a neurological signature of the set ofneurological states from the analysis S330; detecting an entry of theneurological state signature, wherein the entry of the neurologicalsignature is characterized by a first time point S340; and at anelectrical stimulation module, automatically providing an electricalstimulation treatment to the user in association with the firsttimepoint S350.

The method 300 can further comprise detecting an exit of theneurological signature by the user, wherein the exit of the neurologicalsignature is characterized by a second timepoint S355; automaticallyterminating the electrical stimulation treatment at the second timepointS357; modulating the electrical stimulation treatment provided to theuser based upon the neurological signature S360, wherein modulatingcomprises delivering a portion of the set of portions of the electricalstimulation treatment to the brain region of the user, while maintainingan aggregate amount of a stimulation parameter of the electricalstimulation treatment provided to the user during the time window belowa maximum limit; generating a second analysis characterizing the user'sresponse to the electrical stimulation treatment S380; and providing amodified electrical stimulation treatment to the user, based upon thesecond analysis S390.

The method 300 functions to automatically transmit electricalstimulation to a user in association with detected neurologicalsignatures, as observed using a biosignal detection module. The method300 can be used to enhance motor learning or any other suitable type oflearning, and can additionally or alternatively be used to facilitateconsolidation of learning by a user. The method 300 can also be used toenhance or modulate working memory and declarative memory. In somevariations, the electrical stimulation treatment, matched with aspecific user neurological state, can induce a physiological responsethat benefits the user. In examples, the method 300 can thus be used toenhance learning and/or memory retention during a specific neurologicalstate (e.g., sleep states, phases of a sleep cycle, wake states), byautomatically providing an electrical stimulation treatment to the useras the user is experiencing the specific neurological state. In otherexamples, a user's response to an electrical stimulation treatment,provided by the method 300, can be indicative of a neurologicalcondition of the user, such that the method 300 can be used to identifya unique neurological condition of the user in order to provide adiagnosis for the user, and/or to personalize electrical stimulationtreatment for the user, based upon the identification of theneurological condition. In other examples, the method 300 can be used inany other suitable manner to identify neurological states and/orneurological conditions of a user, and to provide electrical stimulationtreatments upon identification or detection of user specificneurological states.

In some variations, the user can be a patient diagnosed with aneurological condition (e.g., learning impairment, memory-affectingcondition, cognitive impairment), such that the method 300 is used tofacilitate management of the user's neurological condition by reversingdamage resulting from the neurological condition, halting damageresulting from the neurological condition, and/or by enabling the userto cope with the neurological condition. In additional variations, theuser can be undiagnosed with a neurological condition, and the method300 can be used as a tool to enhance, consolidate, and/or positivelyaffect the user's learning behavior in any suitable manner. In stillother variations, the user can be undiagnosed with a neurologicalcondition, and the method 300 can be used to enhance the user's memoryretention and/or facilitate consolidation of the user's memories. Assuch, the user can be a patient with a neurological condition, or canalternatively be a user without a neurological condition.

Block S310 recites: receiving a signal stream characterizing a set ofneurological states of the user, and functions to provide biosignal datathat can be processed and analyzed to determine one or more neurologicalstate signatures of the user. Similar to Block S130 above, Block S310 ispreferably performed at a biosignal detection module, such as anembodiment of the biosignal detection module described in Section 2below; however, Block S310 can alternatively be performed using anyother suitable system comprising a biosignal sensor system. Similar toBlock S130 above, the signal stream received in Block S310 can compriseone or more of: bioelectrical signals from a brain region of the user,any other suitable biolelectrical signals, biosignals, environmentalsignals, and any other suitable signals from the user or the user'senvironment. In some variations, set of signals received in Block S310can thus provide a comprehensive characterization of the user'scognitive, physiological, and/or environmental state based upon multiplesensor types, in order to provide a basis for user state-matchedelectrical stimulation. In other variations, the set of signals receivedin Block S310 can provide a simpler characterization of the user'scognitive state, based solely upon a single signal type (e.g., EEGsignals) received at a biosignal detection module. Also similar to BlockS130 above, the signal stream of Block S310 can include signals frommultiple sensor channels, a single sensor channel, and/or multiplexedsignals from one region of the user. Additionally or alternatively, thesignal stream can also be a compressed, filtered, conditioned,amplified, or otherwise processed version of raw signals from one ormore sensors.

Preferably, the signal stream is received continuously in Block S310;however, the signal stream can additionally or alternatively be receivedintermittently and/or when prompted by the user or other entity.Additionally, the signal stream is preferably received in real time, inorder to facilitate real time or near-real time analysis in Block S320,and/or real time or near-real time stimulation provision in Block S350.However, the signal stream can alternatively be received with anysuitable temporal delay, or in any other suitable manner. For example,in variations wherein the user's neurological states undergo a cyclicpattern, the set of signals can be received with a temporal delay thatis synchronized with the cyclic pattern, such that a set of signalscharacterizing one cycle is received in synchronization with anothercycle being experienced by the user.

In Block S310, the set of signals preferably characterizes a set ofneurological states, indicative of cognitive states of the user. In onevariation, the set of neurological states can comprise states or phasesof a sleep cycle, including rapid eye movement (REM) sleep states andnon-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep states. In this variation, NREMsleep states can further comprise NREM stage 1 sleep, NREM stage 2sleep, and NREM stage 3 sleep. REM sleep is characterized in signals byrapid low-voltage EEG signals defined by high frequency saw-tooth waves,along with ocular motion, which can be detected and received using anEEG sensor, an EMG sensor, and/or an EOG sensor of the biosignaldetection module. NREM stage 1 sleep is characterized in signals by atransition from alpha wave neural oscillations to theta wave neuraloscillations (e.g., with a frequency of 4-7 Hz), along with muscletwitching (e.g., myoclonus), and/or hallucinations, which can bedetected and received using an EEG sensor, an EMG sensor, and/or an MEGsensor. NREM stage 2 sleep is characterized in signals by sleep spindlesranging from 11-16 Hz and K-complexes, along with a decrease in muscularactivity, which can be detected and received using an EEG sensor, an EMGsensor, and/or an MEG sensor. NREM stage 3 sleep (i.e., slow-wave sleep)is characterized in signals by a minimum of 20% delta waves ranging from0.5-2 Hz and a peak-to-peak amplitude greater than 75 microvolts, whichcan be detected and received using an EEG sensor. NREM stage 3 sleep isphysiologically characterized by neurons in multiple brain regions(e.g., hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and visual cortex) firing in apattern that is similar to, but accelerated in comparison to a patternin which the neurons fired during learning of a day's events. User'stypically experience four to five REM-NREM sleep cycles per night, withcycle lengths decreasing progressively through the night, and a shiftfrom increased NREM stage 3 sleep earlier in the night to increased REMsleep later in the night. In this variation, the method 100 can then beconfigured to provide stimulation matched with a given sleep state.

In another variation, the set of neurological states can comprise statesor phases experienced by a user during quiet wakefulness, sleep, and/oranesthetic states, wherein brain signals exhibit slow (e.g., less than 1Hz), large amplitude oscillations in electrical potentials. Theoscillations result from synchronization in the activity of largenumbers of neurons in the cortex, and comprise down states (e.g.,troughs) characterized by low voltages produced by synchronized neuronsin a hyperpolarized state, and up states (e.g., peaks), characterized byhigh voltages produced by synchronized neurons in a depolarized state.The set of neurological states can thus comprise down states and upstates, and/or any other relevant neurological state(s) experienced bythe user during quiet wakefulness, sleep, and/or anesthetic states. Inthis variation, the method 100 can then be configured to providestimulation matched with a given state of a large amplitude oscillation.

In yet another variation, the set of neurological states can compriseneurological states experienced by a user during a state of stressand/or a state of heightened alertness, such that the method 100 can beconfigured to provide targeted stimulation during stress states and/oralert states, as detected by a biosignal detection module. In yetanother variation, the set of neurological states can compriseneurological states indicative of a learning state of the user inassociation with performance of a set of tasks. The set of neurologicalstates can, however, comprise any other suitable neurological state ofthe user.

Block S320 recites: generating an analysis based upon the signal stream,thereby identifying each neurological state of the set of neurologicalstates characterized by the signal stream, and functions to transformthe set of signals into an analysis that identifies aspects of eachneurological state experienced by the user during reception of the setof signals. Block S120 is preferably performed at a processingsubsystem, wherein the processing subsystem can be integrated with abiosignal detection module, or can be remote from the biosignaldetection module. The processor is preferably an embodiment of theprocessing subsystem described in Section 2 below, but can be any othersuitable processing subsystem configured to facilitate identification ofeach neurological state characterized by the signal stream received inBlock S310. In some variations, the processing subsystem can implement amachine learning algorithm that automatically recognizes specificneurological states (e.g., sleep states, alert states, states of a largeamplitude oscillation) based upon the analysis of the received set ofsignals, as described in relation to Block S140 above. Block S320 can,however, be implemented at a processing subsystem configured toimplement any other suitable algorithm.

For each neurological state captured in the signal stream, the analysiscan characterize a neurological state initiation event (e.g., signalcharacteristic and timepoint), neurological state termination event(e.g., signal characteristic and timepoint), neurological stateduration, cyclic behavior of multiple sequential neurological states,and/or any other suitable aspect of a neurological state. Furthermore,the analysis can characterize regular and/or non regular variations inneurological state cycles. In one such example, the analysis cancharacterize the regular progression in sleep cycle behavior for a user,including a per-cycle decrease in NREM sleep state duration, a per-cycleincrease in REM sleep state duration, and/or a net decrease incycle-to-cycle duration. Each neurological state can be automaticallyidentified based upon known neurological state signal characteristics(e.g., amplitude, frequency, waveform, sequence between otherneurological states, etc.), and/or can be manually identified by a useror other entity at a user interface. Preferably, each neurological stateidentified in the analysis is tagged with an identifier linked withaspects of the neurological state and furthermore, subsequentoccurrences of the neurological state, captured in subsequentoccurrences of signal detection and reception, are preferably similarlytagged with the identifier. However, each neurological state can beidentified in any other suitable manner, and an identification of aneurological state can be used to identify reoccurrences of theneurological state in any other suitable manner.

In one variation, the analysis can characterize states of a sleep cycleof a user, thus providing a personalized analysis of the sleep statecharacteristics for the user. In another variation, the analysis cancharacterize states of a large amplitude oscillation (e.g., experiencedduring quiet wakefulness, experienced during slow wave sleep,experienced in an anesthetic condition). In yet another variation, theanalysis can characterize cognitive states of an alert or stressed user.The analysis can, however, identify and characterize any other suitableneurological state of the user in order to facilitate neurologicalstate-matched electrical stimulation.

Block S330 recites: identifying a neurological signature of the set ofneurological states from the analysis, and functions to select at leastone neurological state of the user, from the analysis, intended to bematched with an electrical stimulation treatment. Similar to Block S320,Block S330 can be performed at a processing subsystem, such as anembodiment of the processing subsystem described in Section 2 below.Furthermore, identification of a neurological signature can be performedmanually by a user at a user interface, and/or can be performedautomatically at the processing subsystem. Furthermore, multipleneurological states can be selected as neurological signatures, suchthat the method 300 can provide electrical stimulation matched tomultiple neurological state signatures of the user. In one variation, aportion of a neurological state can be a selected target for electricalstimulation, and in another variation, a transition between neurologicalstates can be a selected target for electrical stimulation. In yetanother variation, a combination of targets can be selected as a triggerfor electrical stimulation (e.g., a transition between neurologicalstates, followed by a neurological state event can be a selectedtarget). Other variations of Block S330 can, however, can compriseidentification of any suitable neurological state signature, targetportion of a neurological state, target transition between neurologicalstates, and/or any characteristic target (or combination of targets) fortarget-matched electrical stimulation.

In one example of Block S330 for sleep state-matched stimulation,identifying a neurological state signature can comprise a NREM stage 3(i.e., slow-wave sleep) neurological state, characterized by an entry,an exit, and a duration. Such characteristics of the target NREM stage 3neurological state can then be used in an example of Block S140, inorder to create a trigger that automatically initiates provision and/ortermination of an electrical stimulation treatment in examples of BlockS150 and/or Block S160.

In another example of Block S330 for stimulation matched with states ofa large amplitude oscillation, identifying a neurological statesignature can comprise identifying a down state of a large amplitudeoscillation, characterized by oscillation trough features (e.g., minimumsignal voltage). The down state can further be characterized by an entryand an exit (e.g., inflection points that bound the minimum signalvoltage), as well as a duration (e.g., spacing between inflection pointsthat bound the minimum signal voltage). Such characteristics of thetarget down state can then be used in an example of Block S140, in orderto create a trigger that automatically initiates provision and/ortermination of an electrical stimulation treatment in examples of BlockS350 and/or Block S355.

In another example of Block S330 for stimulation matched with states ofa large amplitude oscillation, identifying a neurological statesignature can comprise identifying an up state of a large amplitudeoscillation, characterized by oscillation peaks (e.g., maximum signalvoltage). The up state can further be characterized by an entry and anexit (e.g., inflection points that bound the maximum signal voltage), aswell as a duration (e.g., spacing between inflection points that boundthe maximum signal voltage). Such characteristics of the target up statecan then be used in an example of Block S340, in order to create atrigger that automatically initiates provision and/or termination of anelectrical stimulation treatment in examples of Block S350 and/or BlockS355.

In some variations, Blocks S310 through S330 can function to calibrate abiosignal detection module-processing subsystem unit, such as the onedescribed in Section 2 below, thus preparing the unit to automaticallyperform neurological state-matched electrical stimulation treatments inBlocks S340 and S350. Furthermore, Blocks S310-S330 can additionally oralternatively be performed in an iterative pattern to collect, identify,and refine identification of neurological state signature(s) fortarget-matched electrical stimulation.

Block S340 recites: detecting an entry of the neurological signature,wherein the entry of the neurological signature is characterized by afirst timepoint. Block S340 functions to create a trigger whenever acharacteristic of the neurological state signature (e.g., entry of theneurological state, transition into the neurological state) is detected.Preferably, the characteristic of the neurological state signature isdetected at the biosignal detection module of one embodiment of BlockS210; however, the characteristic of the neurological state signaturecan be detected in any other suitable manner. The entry of theneurological state signature is preferably a bioelectrical signal (e.g.,EEG signal, EOG signal, EMG signal, MEG signal) event that defines aninitiation of the neurological state signature event; however, the entryof the neurological state signature event can additionally oralternatively comprise any other suitable physiological signal event(e.g., respiratory event, galvanic skin impedance event, heart rateevent, etc.). The first timepoint is thus an initiation timepoint of atime window spanning the entire neurological state signature event. In afirst variation, the first timepoint can define the first occurrence ofan EEG signal peak-to-peak amplitude greater than 75 microvolts,characteristic of an entry of a slow-wave sleep state. In a secondvariation, the first timepoint can define an inflection point prior to atrough of an EEG signal, characterizing an entry of a down state of alarge amplitude oscillation. In a third variation, the first timepointcan define an inflection point prior to a peak of an EEG signal,characterizing an entry of an up state of a large amplitude oscillation.In a fourth variation, the first timepoint can define an entry ofheightened heart rate coupled with increased neurological activity(e.g., a high frequency and high amplitude EEG signal set),characteristic of an entry of a stress state. Other variations of BlockS140 can, however, comprise automatically detecting an entry of anyother suitable neurological state signature, using any suitable system.

Block S350 recites: automatically providing an electrical stimulationtreatment to the user in association with the first timepoint, andfunctions to deliver an electrical stimulation treatment temporallymatched with a neurological state signature experienced by the user.Block S350 is preferably performed at an electrical stimulation module,such as the electrical stimulation module described in Section 2 below;however, Block S350 can alternatively be performed using any othersuitable electrical stimulation module. Similar to the methods 100, 200described above, the electrical stimulation treatment is preferablytranscranial electrical stimulation (TES); however, the stimulationtreatment can additionally or alternatively comprise any other form ofelectrical stimulation configured to stimulate any other suitable regionof the user's body, with any suitable penetration depth, and/or anysuitable target tissue structure (e.g., neural, musculoskeletal). Theelectrical stimulation treatment can be similarly characterized by atleast one stimulation parameter and a set of phases. Furthermore, theelectrical stimulation treatment can comprise multiple forms, whereinthe forms can be performed simultaneously and/or in sequence.

The electrical stimulation treatment automatically provided in BlockS350 can be uniform (e.g., characterized by a regular pattern orwaveform, characterized by a constant intensity, characterized by aconstant frequency). However, the electrical stimulation treatmentprovided can alternatively be non-uniform. Furthermore, in variations,the electrical stimulation treatment can comprise using multipletreatments at different locations, in order to stimulate formation ofneural connections in synchronization with a target neurological state(e.g., by Hebb's rule). The multiple treatments in these variations canbe identical, can be provided at two or more anodal electrodespositioned at different locations on the user's skull (with cathodalelectrodes positioned elsewhere), and can be provided with a delaybetween treatments (e.g., up to a 10 ms delay). Alternatively themultiple treatments can be non-identical (e.g., comprise different formsof electrical stimulation, can comprise different treatment parameters),can be provided using any suitable electrode configuration, and/or canbe provided without any substantial delay between treatments. Modulationof a delay between treatments can modulate the strength of formed neuralconnections.

In a first example, the electrical stimulation treatment can comprise atDCS treatment and can be delivered to the user upon detection of anentry of slow-wave sleep (i.e., NREM stage 3) at a first timepoint,which can function to improve declarative memory. The tDCS treatment cantarget the user's prefrontal cortex (e.g., by way of a electrode systemconfigured to stimulate the prefrontal cortex) during replaying ofrecent memory sequences in the prefrontal cortex during slow-wave sleep.The tDCS treatment can additionally or alternatively target the user'svisual cortex and/or hippocampus, the latter e.g. by stimulatingneocortical structures that project to the hippocampus via entorhinalcortex, during replaying of recent memory sequences in the visual cortexand/or hippocampus during slow-wave sleep. In the first example,delivering the tDCS treatment while the user is sleeping can allow theuser to be in a non-motile, restful state, can take advantage ofcompressed replay of neural activity during sleep, and can enhancedeclarative memory of the user while the user is in a potentially lessstressful state. The electrical stimulation treatment in the firstexample can be delivered in a clinical or research setting, or canalternatively be delivered in a non-clinical setting (e.g., at aportable, wearable system). In a variation of the first example, theelectrical stimulation treatment can alternatively be provided upondetection of an entry of REM sleep, which can function to enhancenon-declarative memory of the user.

In a second example, the electrical stimulation treatment can comprise aTES treatment and can be delivered to the user upon detection of anentry of an up state of a large amplitude oscillation at a firsttimepoint, which can function to selectively induce long termpotentiation (LTP) of neural synaptic activity in the user. The TEStreatment can be provided at the motor cortex of the user (e.g., using asensor system configured to selectively provide TES to the motorcortex), where inducing LTP can enhance or modulate recent motorlearning. The user in the second example can be a stroke patient orother user with a neurological derived impairment of motor function, orcan be any other suitable user who desires modulation of motor learning.In a variation of the second example, the electrical stimulationtreatment can comprise a TES treatment and can be delivered to the userupon detection of an entry of a down state of a large amplitudeoscillation at a first timepoint, which can function to selectivelyinduce long term depression (LTD) of neural synaptic activity. In othervariations of the second example, the TES treatment can be provided tothe user sequentially upon detection of an entry of an up state and upondetection of an entry of a down state, such that LTP and LTD arecyclically induced in the user.

In a third example, the electrical stimulation treatment can comprise aTES treatment and can be delivered to the user upon detection of anentry of a stressed or alert state, which can function to increaseworking memory and/or declarative memory in the user. The TES treatmentcan be an anodal tDCS treatment provided at the prefrontal cortex of theuser (e.g., using a sensor system configured to selectively provide tDCSto the prefrontal cortex), where stimulation can enhance or modulateattention, focus, cognitive control, or working memory. The TEStreatment can additionally or alternatively be provided at the leftdorsolateral prefrontal cortex of the user, where stimulation canenhance or modulate attention, focus, cognitive control, or declarativememory. In variations of the third example, the electrical stimulationtreatment can be provided, upon detection of the stress state, atregions of the brain known to modulate stress, such that a stressresponse of the user can be modulated (e.g., decreased, stabilized,etc.). As such, the third example can increase focus during stressstates, or can function to modulate a stress response in the user.

In a fourth example, a first electrical stimulation treatment can beprovided at a first region of the user's brain, and a second electricalstimulation treatment can be provided at a second region of the user'sbrain, upon detection of an entry of a neurological state signature. Thefirst electrical stimulation treatment can comprise a tVFS treatmentcharacterized by a first stimulation waveform, and the second electricalstimulation treatment can be identical to the first electricalstimulation treatment, delivered 10 ms after the first electricalstimulation treatment. In the fourth example, the first region cancomprise Broca's area, and the second region can comprise Wernicke'sarea, such that the method 100 functions to automatically promote growthof neurological connections between Broca's area and Wernicke's areaupon detection of a neurological state signature at which stimulationwould be most effective. The fourth example can thus provide treatmentof Broca's aphasia, by stimulating neural connections between severedbrain regions. Variations of the fourth example can comprise stimulatingany other suitable combination of multiple brain regions, with orwithout a delay, in order to promote growth of neural connections upondetection of a neurological state signature.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the method 100 can further comprise Block S355,which recites: detecting an exit of the neurological signature by theuser, wherein the exit of the neurological state signature ischaracterized by a second timepoint. Block S160 functions to establish asecond trigger that can be used to terminate provision of an electricalstimulation treatment, such that the electrical stimulation treatment isisolated to a given time window characterized a first timepoint and asecond timepoint. Similar to Block S140, the exit of the neurologicalstate signature is preferably a bioelectrical signal (e.g., EEG signal,EOG signal, EMG signal, MEG signal) event that defines an end of theneurological state signature event; however, the end of the neurologicalstate signature event can additionally or alternatively comprise anyother suitable physiological signal event (e.g., respiratory event,galvanic skin impedance event, heart rate event, etc.). In a firstvariation, the second timepoint can define the last occurrence of an EEGsignal peak-to-peak amplitude greater than 75 microvolts, characteristicof an end of a slow-wave sleep state. In a second variation, the secondtimepoint can define an inflection point after a trough of an EEGsignal, characterizing an exit of a down state of a large amplitudeoscillation. In a third variation, the second timepoint can define aninflection point after a peak of an EEG signal, characterizing an exitof an up state of a large amplitude oscillation. In a fourth variation,the second timepoint can define an entry of a reduced heart rate coupledwith decreased neurological activity (e.g., a low frequency and highamplitude EEG signal set), characteristic of an exit of a stress state.Other variations of Block S160 can, however, comprise automaticallydetecting an exit of any other suitable neurological state signature,using any suitable system.

Also shown in FIG. 1 , the method 100 can further comprise Block S357,which recites: automatically terminating the electrical stimulationtreatment at the second timepoint. Block S170 functions to confineprovision of an electrical stimulation treatment to a time windowspanning the neurological state signature. As such, Block S170 enablesthe method 100 to automate initiation and termination of the electricalstimulation treatment(s), in synchronization with a neurological statesignature event. In one variation, Block S170 can comprise automaticallyshutting off a system configured to provide the electrical stimulationtreatment. In another variation, Block S170 can comprise automaticallydisplacing electrodes (e.g., by an actuator) configured to deliver theelectrical stimulation treatment. Other variations of Block S170 can,however, comprise automatically terminating the electrical stimulationtreatment in any other suitable manner.

Similar to the methods 100, 200 described above, the method 300 canfurther include Block S360, which recites: modulating the electricalstimulation treatment provided to the user based upon the neurologicalsignature S360, wherein modulating comprises delivering a portion of theset of portions of the electrical stimulation treatment to the brainregion of the user, while maintaining an aggregate amount of astimulation parameter of the electrical stimulation treatment providedto the user during the time window below a maximum limit. Modulation inBlock S360 can be performed in a manner similar to that of Blocks S160and S260 described above, or in any other suitable manner.

In one example for improving a desired learning rate in a user, anelectrical stimulation treatment (e.g., anodal stimulation of theprimary motor cortex of the user) can be provided to the user as inBlock S350, during performance of a task (e.g., a training activity fora user under going rehabilitation). Modulation of the electricalstimulation treatment to produce an improved learning rate can beperformed according to Block S160, wherein a controller modulates anamount and/or a duration of a portion of the electrical stimulationtreatment to produce the improved learning rate of the user. In theexample, if a rate of learning (e.g., as assessed by an analysis ofperformance of the task by the user, as assessed by biosignalsdetection) is within desired limits, the controller can be configured todeliver stimulation or intermittent stimulation without any adjustment,under an assumption that the electrical stimulation treatment beingsupplied is effective. However, if the rate of learning is above anupper limit, the controller can be configured to reduce a parameter(e.g., current amplitude, duration) of the electrical stimulationtreatment, and if the rate of learning is below a lower limit, thecontroller can be configured to increase or to decrease (e.g., tofacilitate re-normalization of homeostatic mechanisms counteractingneural plasticity) a parameter of the electrical stimulation treatment.In this example, stimulation can be resumed and learning re-assessed(e.g., based upon biosignal detection), after a hiatus (e.g., a one to20 minute hiatus).

Also shown in FIG. 1 , the method 100 can further comprise Block S380,which recites: generating a second analysis characterizing the user'sresponse to the electrical stimulation treatment. Block S380 functionsto provide an analysis of a user response to an electrical stimulationtreatment, wherein the analysis serves as a basis for providing amodified electrical stimulation treatment to the user in Block S190. Theanalysis can characterize an effect of the electrical stimulationtreatment, for example, by way of metrics quantifying an effect of thetreatment (e.g., metrics that quantify user comfort, metrics thatquantify effectiveness, metrics that quantify physiological aphysiological response). The analysis can additionally or alternativelycomprise user-populated data, collected from the user or another entity,by way of a user survey or other means. The second analysis can beprovided to the user, and/or can be used to automatically modulateelectrical stimulation treatment parameters in variations of the method100 comprising Block S190.

Also shown in FIG. 1 , the method 100 can further comprise Block S90,which recites: providing a modified electrical stimulation treatment tothe user, based upon the second analysis. Block S190 functions toautomatically modulate an electrical stimulation treatment provided tothe user, in response to the second analysis generated in Block S180. Assuch, the modified electrical stimulation treatment can be characterizedby any one or more of: adjusted first and second timepoints (e.g., adifferent time window) relative to a given neurological state signature,an adjusted stimulation intensity, an adjusted stimulation frequency, anadjusted stimulation waveform, a different form of stimulation, adifferent configuration of stimulation-providing electrodes, and anyother suitable stimulation parameter. Preferably, the adjustedstimulation parameters are automatically adjusted, based upon the secondanalysis, at a processor coupled to a controller, wherein the controlleris configured to control deliverance of treatment parameters. However,the adjusted stimulation parameters can be adjusted and provided in anyother suitable manner.

The method 100 can further comprise any other suitable block(s) orstep(s) configured to facilitate automatic provision of an electricalstimulation treatment, matched to a neurological state signature of auser, and/or enhance treatment effectiveness using any other suitablemanner. For example, the method can further comprise transmitting atleast one of the analysis and the second analysis to an entity,generating an aggregate analysis based upon analyses from multipleusers, and modulating an electrical stimulation treatment based upon theaggregate analysis. Other examples and variations of the method 100, canhowever, be configured to facilitate automatic provision of anelectrical stimulation treatment, matched to a neurological statesignature of a user in any other suitable manner.

As a person skilled in the field of biosignals will recognize from theprevious detailed description and from the figures and claims,modifications and changes can be made to the preferred embodiments ofthe methods 100, 200, 300 without departing from the scope of themethods 100, 200, 300.

2. System

As shown in FIG. 5 , an embodiment of a system 400 for providingelectrical stimulation to a user comprises: a user interface 405 of anapplication configured to provide a set of tasks to the user; abiosignal detection module 410 configured to enable detection of asignal stream from the user as the user performs each task in the set oftasks; a processing subsystem 420 coupled to the biosignal detectionmodule 410 and comprising a module configured to identify a set ofneurological signatures, corresponding to each task of the set of tasks,based upon the signal stream, and a module configured to generate a setof comparisons between a set of neurological metrics derived from theset of neurological signatures and at least one condition; an electricalstimulation module 430 configured to generate and transmit an electricalstimulation treatment to the user in cooperation with provision of theset of tasks; and a controller 440 coupled to the processor and theelectrical stimulation module, wherein the controller is configured tocontrol provision and modulation of the electrical stimulation treatmentbased upon the set of comparisons, and wherein the processing subsystemand the controller are configured to maintain a parameter of theelectrical stimulation treatment provided below a maximum limit. In somevariations, the system can substantially omit the biosignal detectionmodule 410, such that modulation of the electrical stimulation treatmentin is based upon a stage of a task of the set of tasks, or the user'sperformance of a phase of a task of the set of tasks, withoutconsideration of a neurological state of the user detected by thebiosignal detection module 410. Furthermore, in some variations, themethod 100 can substantially omit modulating the electrical stimulationtreatment, by the processor 420 and the controller 440, according to amaximum limit constraint, such that modulation is based solely upon aphase of a task and/or a neurological state of the user, without amaximum limit constraint. The system 400 is preferably configured toperform an embodiment of the methods 100, 200, 300 described in Section1, 1.1, and 1.2 above, but can additionally or alternatively beconfigured to perform any other suitable method.

The user interface 405 functions to convey the set of tasks to the user,such that the user can receive and interact with the set of tasks asbiosignals are collected from the user. The user interface is preferablyimplemented at least in part at an application executing on anelectronic device (e.g., mobile device, computing device, web browser,etc.) of the user, but can additionally or alternatively be implementedin any other suitable manner. The user interface preferably comprises adisplay, a camera (e.g., for eye tracking information), an audio unit(e.g., speaker, microphone), and an input module (e.g., keyboard,keypad, voice command module, etc.), and can additionally oralternatively comprise any other suitable features that promote orenable user interaction.

The biosignal detection module 410 functions to detect a signal streamfrom the user, wherein the signal stream can be processed and analyzedto characterize a neurological state of the user as the user performs atask of the set of tasks. The biosignal detection module 410 ispreferably configured to detect bioelectrical signals from the user, butcan additionally or alternatively be configured to detect any othersuitable physiological and/or environmental signal relevant to the user.The biosignal detection module 410 preferably comprises an electrodearray 411 coupled to an electronics subsystem 412, wherein the electrodearray 411 is configured to interface with the user, and the electronicssystem 412 is configured to condition, process, and/or transmit the setof signals for further analysis (e.g., using a wireless or wiredinterface). The biosignal detection module 410 can, however, compriseany other suitable element(s) or combination of element(s). Again, insome variations, the system 400 can substantially omit the biosignaldetection module 410, such that modulation of the electrical stimulationtreatment in is based upon a phase of a task of the set of tasks, or theuser's performance of a phase of a task of the set of tasks, withoutconsideration of a neurological state of the user detected by thebiosignal detection module 410.

The processing subsystem 420 is configured to couple to the biosignaldetection module 410, and functions to generate analyses that can beused to automatically synchronize a provided electrical stimulationtreatment with a neurological signature. As such, the processingsubsystem 420 can comprise a first module 422 configured to receive thesignal stream, a second module 424 configured to identify a set ofneurological signatures corresponding to each task of the set of tasks,based upon the signal stream (as described in relation to Block S140above), and a third module 426 configured to generate a set ofcomparisons between a set of neurological metrics derived from the setof neurological signatures and at least one condition (as described inrelation to Block S150 above). The processing subsystem 420 can comprisea transmission module (e.g., wireless transmission module, wiredtransmission module) configured to receive and/or transmit signals oranalysis to/from a mobile device, other computing device, and/or datastorage unit. The processing subsystem 420 can additionally comprise anyother suitable element(s) or combination of element(s) configured tofacilitate processing and/or transmission of data and analyses.

The electrical stimulation module 430 is preferably coupled to thecontroller 440, and functions to transmit an electrical stimulationtreatment to the user in order to improve a neurological state of theuser. The electrical stimulation module 430 is preferably configured togenerate and provide TES treatments, but can additionally oralternatively be configured to provide any other suitable electricalstimulation treatment (e.g., PNS treatment). Preferably, the electricalstimulation module 430 comprises an electrode array 431 coupled to thecontroller 440, wherein the electrode array can be the same electrodearray 411 of the biosignal detection module 410, or a second electrodearray. The electrode array(s) of the electrical stimulation module 430can be incorporated in a form factor comprising at least one of a headunit (e.g., for TES treatments) and an extremity unit (e.g., for PNStreatments), but can additionally or alternatively be incorporated inany other suitable form factor. In an example, the extremity unit cantake the form of a band that couples to an extremity of the user, andincorporates a PNS stimulation unit, an accelerometer, and atransmission module (e.g., Bluetooth link) to track and report datadescribing movement. Furthermore, the electrical stimulation module 430preferably comprises or is coupled to an electronics subsystem, whichcan be the same electronics subsystem of the biosignal detection module410, or a second electronics subsystem. In some embodiments, theelectrical stimulation module 430 can comprise an embodiment of thesystem for electrical stimulation described in U.S. application Ser. No.14/470,683, entitled “Electrode System for Electrical Stimulation andBiosignal Detection” and filed on 27 Aug. 2014, which is hereinincorporated in its entirety by this reference; however, the electricalstimulation module 430 can additionally or alternatively comprise anyother suitable stimulation system.

The controller 440 preferably interfaces with the processor 420 and theelectrical stimulation module 430, and functions to control provisionand modulation of the electrical stimulation treatment based upon theset of comparisons. The controller 440 preferably also functions tocooperate with the processing subsystem 420 to maintain a parameter ofthe electrical stimulation treatment provided below a maximum limit.However, in some variations, the method 100 can substantially omitmodulating the electrical stimulation treatment, by the processor 420and the controller 440, according to a maximum limit constraint, suchthat modulation is based solely upon a task, a stage of a task and/or adetected neurological state of the user, without a maximum limitconstraint. The controller can be coupled to the electronics subsystemof the electrical stimulation module 430, and can additionally becoupled to or comprise a stimulus generator configured to generate theelectrical stimulation treatment (e.g., as a current generator, as avoltage generator, as a pulse generator, etc.). The stimulus generatoris preferably configured to facilitate transmission of transcranialelectrical stimulation (TES) in the form of at least one of:transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), transcranial alternatingcurrent stimulation (tACS), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS),transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS), and transcranial variablefrequency stimulation (tVFS). However, the stimulus generator canalternatively be configured to facilitate transmission of any othersuitable stimulation to the user. Furthermore, the controller 440 cancomprise or couple to any other suitable element that enables provisionand modulation of an electrical stimulation treatment for the user basedupon the user's interactions with the set of provided tasks.

The methods 100, 200, 300 and system 400 of the preferred embodiment andvariations thereof can be embodied and/or implemented at least in partas a machine configured to receive a computer-readable medium storingcomputer-readable instructions. The instructions are preferably executedby computer-executable components preferably integrated with the system200 and one or more portions of the processor and/or a controller. Thecomputer-readable medium can be stored on any suitable computer-readablemedia such as RAMs, ROMs, flash memory, EEPROMs, optical devices (CD orDVD), hard drives, floppy drives, or any suitable device. Thecomputer-executable component is preferably a general or applicationspecific processor, but any suitable dedicated hardware orhardware/firmware combination device can alternatively or additionallyexecute the instructions.

The FIGURES illustrate the architecture, functionality and operation ofpossible implementations of systems, methods and computer programproducts according to preferred embodiments, example configurations, andvariations thereof. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or blockdiagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, whichcomprises one or more executable instructions for implementing thespecified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in somealternative implementations, the functions noted in the block can occurout of the order noted in the FIGURES. For example, two blocks shown insuccession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or theblocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending uponthe functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware andcomputer instructions.

As a person skilled in the field of neuromodulation will recognize fromthe previous detailed description and from the figures and claims,modifications and changes can be made to the preferred embodiments ofthe invention without departing from the scope of this invention definedin the following claims.

We claim:
 1. A method for stimulating a user, the method comprising:receiving a set of inputs from an interface associated with the user;determining a mental health status of the user based on the set ofinputs; providing content to the user at the interface, the contentcomprising mental health therapy content; and stimulating the useraccording to a stimulation pattern at a stimulation device, thestimulation pattern operable to improve the mental health status of theuser, wherein the stimulation pattern is determined at least in partbased on at least one of: the mental health status; and the content. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein the mental health therapy content isselected at least in part based on the mental health status.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, wherein the mental health therapy content comprisesdepression therapy content.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein thecontent and the stimulation pattern are provided to the user inaccordance with a digital program, the digital program operable toimprove the mental health status of the user.
 5. The method of claim 4,wherein the digital program is at least partially executed at anapplication on a user device associated with the user, the user devicecomprising the interface.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the userdevice is separate and distinct from the stimulation device.
 7. Themethod of claim 5, wherein providing the content comprises guiding theuser in viewing a module at the application, the module comprising themental health therapy content.
 8. The method of claim 4, wherein thedigital program is configured to adjust the content provided to the userin response to a change in the mental health status of the user.
 9. Themethod of claim 1, wherein providing the content to the user at theinterface comprises guiding the user in performing a task at theinterface, wherein the task comprises viewing the mental health therapycontent.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the stimulation device isconfigured to provide transcranial stimulation at a scalp of the user.11. A system for stimulating a user, the system comprising: astimulation device configured to provide stimulation to a user; adigital program configured for use in combination with the stimulationdevice, wherein the digital program: receives a set of inputs from theuser; determines a mental health status of the user based on the set ofinputs; provides content to the user, the content comprising mentalhealth therapy content; and initiates the provision of the stimulationto the user according to a stimulation pattern, the stimulation patternoperable to improve the mental health status of the user, wherein thestimulation pattern is determined at least in part based on at least oneof: the mental health status; and the content.
 12. The system of claim11, wherein the stimulation device is configured to provide transcranialstimulation at a scalp of the user.
 13. The system of claim 11, furthercomprising an application executable on a user device associated withthe user, wherein the digital program interfaces with the user and thestimulation device through the application.
 14. The system of claim 14,wherein providing the content comprises guiding the user in viewing amodule at the application, the module comprising the mental healththerapy content.
 15. The system of claim 11, wherein the digital programcomprises a mental health therapy program.
 16. The system of claim 11,wherein the content comprises a video.
 17. The system of claim 11,wherein the digital program further selects the the mental healththerapy content based at least in part based on the mental healthstatus.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the mental health therapycontent comprises depression therapy content.
 19. The system of claim11, wherein the digital program is configured to adjust the contentprovided to the user in response to a change in the mental health statusof the user.
 20. The system of claim 11, wherein providing the contentto the user comprises guiding the user in performing a task, wherein thetask comprises viewing the mental health therapy content.